Lee is a high school senior who plans to study theater in Los Angeles. As a survivor of a devastating school shooting, she struggles daily with panic attacks, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. She is determined to correct the false stories circulating about her deceased best friend, though her mission puts her at odds with a community desperate for comforting narratives.

Miles is a senior and survivor of the shooting who lives with his grandmother next door to Lee. He is widely viewed by the community as a hero due to his actions during the crisis, though he privately struggles with the public's expectations and his difficult family history. He spends his free time studying historical events to gain perspective.

Ashley is a young mother who was injured in the hallway during the attack, resulting in her needing a wheelchair. She serves as an unofficial caretaker for the survivor group by frequently checking in on them. Heavily guided by her Christian faith, she marries her high school boyfriend and holds tightly to a specific, comforting version of events from the shooting.

Eden is a talented artist with a passion for manga who survived the attack in the computer lab. She travels to different college campuses to deliver presentations as a gun violence activist. Behind her confident public persona, she deals with severe mental and emotional distress that she attempts to manage through unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Denny is a blind high school senior who survived the shooting in the computer lab. He is passionate about technology and hopes to earn a scholarship by designing accessibility software. He maintains a positive, humorous outlook and resents when people focus solely on his disability rather than his skills and personality.

Kellie is a survivor who was in the girls' restroom during the tragedy. Viewed by many as a rebellious teenager who disliked school, she faces intense public judgment in the aftermath of the shooting. The heavy alienation and harassment she experiences drives her family to relocate and distance themselves from the town.

Sarah was Lee's vivacious and outgoing best friend who was killed while hiding in the bathroom stall during the shooting. The public heavily embraces her as a martyr for her Christian faith, attributing heroic final actions to her. In reality, she was a friendly, protective teenager who helped Lee navigate social situations and harbored typical teenage secrets.

The school's computer teacher who was killed in the shooting. She is remembered for making a deliberate effort to accommodate Denny's needs in her classroom and for telling terrible dad jokes.

A student killed in the computer lab. He was passionate about video games and intentionally included Denny in role-playing games by narrating the action and letting him make the choices.

Eden's cousin who died in the computer lab. She was heavily favored by their family, which created quiet tension between the girls, though she occasionally tried to bridge the gap by sharing manga books.

A victim of the shooting who liked camouflage clothing and once dyed his hair orange. He was Sarah's secret boyfriend and made a point to bring Lee candy so she would not feel left out.

A student who died in the shooting. He had a contentious relationship with Miles but showed a softer side by paying Eden for drawing lessons.

A senior and talented basketball player killed in the shooting. She served as a student assistant in Coach Nolan's history class and was known for orchestrating classroom pranks.

A victim of the shooting who was known to quickly pursue new romantic interests after breakups. He had a responsible streak, frequently offering to act as a designated driver at parties.

A history teacher who believed in his students' potential, taking the time to write extensive, helpful feedback on their papers. He saw past Miles's troubled reputation and tried to guide him.

The lead investigator handling the aftermath of the shooting. He is protective of the town's delicate peace and strongly advises Lee against stirring up public emotions by contradicting the accepted story about Sarah.

A detective who assists in walking the survivors through the school to establish the exact sequence of events during the tragedy.

Sarah's mother, who finds deep comfort in the belief that her daughter died defending her Christian faith. She vigorously defends this narrative and fully supports publishing a biography about Sarah's supposed actions.

Sarah's father, who clings to the inspirational story of his daughter's final moments. He firmly rejects any attempts to question the popular narrative surrounding her death.

The pastor at the church attended by the McHale and Chambers families. He views Sarah's story as a powerful example of faith and aggressively pressures Lee to keep quiet about her differing account.

Ashley's younger sister. She harbors immense anger over the shooting and fiercely defends the accepted narrative about Sarah, lashing out aggressively against anyone who questions it.

Sarah's cousin who aggressively defends her memory and the narrative of her martyrdom, actively harassing Lee when she tries to reveal different information.

Denny's prom date who stands by him and his friends. She warns Lee about the rumors spreading through the church regarding Lee's truth-telling efforts.

Eden's girlfriend who supports her activism but worries deeply about Eden's reliance on alcohol and deteriorating mental health.

Eden's college roommate who originally introduced her to activism. She shares Jenny's deep concerns about Eden's well-being and drinking habits.

Denny's loyal guide dog, who assists him in navigating daily life and provides constant companionship.

A boy who once made a cruel comment suggesting that Sarah only befriended Lee out of Christian charity, prompting Sarah to fiercely defend her friend.