Hannah is a 20-year-old music major who attends Briar University on a full scholarship. She divides her time between waitressing at Della's diner and rehearsing for a prestigious winter music showcase. A traumatic assault at age 15 has left her wary of attending parties and hesitant to pursue physical intimacy.

Garrett is a 20-year-old history major and the captain of Briar University's hockey team. He faces intense pressure to maintain his grades to remain eligible for the athletic season. He explicitly avoids serious romantic attachments in favor of focusing entirely on his future professional hockey career.

Phil is a legendary former hockey player and a wealthy figure in the sports community. He attends all of Garrett's games but shows little genuine affection for his son. He uses his financial leverage and physical intimidation to control those around him.

Allie is a college student with aspirations of moving to Los Angeles after graduation to pursue an acting career. She stays highly vigilant in public spaces to ensure Hannah feels safe. She frequently sacrifices her own immediate desires for the sake of her loved ones.

John Logan is a skilled defenseman on the Briar University hockey team who shares Garrett's dream of playing professionally for the Bruins. He frequently invents acronyms in hopes of starting new slang trends among his friends. He develops a quiet attraction to Hannah after she begins visiting their house.

Justin is a football player at Briar University from Seattle. He catches Hannah's attention early in the semester, representing her first genuine romantic interest in over a year. He generally gravitates toward cheerleaders and sorority girls.

Cass is a music student at Briar University paired with Hannah for the upcoming winter showcase. He constantly makes unreasonable demands regarding their performance arrangements.

Dean is one of Garrett's roommates and a fellow hockey player. He is known as the flirt of the team and enjoys the rowdy social life associated with college athletics.

Tucker is a Briar University hockey player who shares a house with Garrett, Logan, and Dean. He provides steady friendship and camaraderie to the team.

Sean is a fraternity member at Briar University. He maintains a relationship with Allie that frequently starts and stops.

Mary Jane, often called MJ, is a composition major who wrote the piece Hannah and Cass are set to perform. She frequently yields to Cass's artistic demands because of her romantic feelings for him.

Cindy is a former event planner who sold her company shortly after meeting Phil Graham at a charity event. She lives with Phil and struggles under his controlling behavior and physical abuse.

Birdie is a teammate on the Briar University hockey squad. He is highly respected by the other players and is known for having earnest, heart-to-heart conversations with his peers.

Rob is a former high school classmate of Hannah who now attends college nearby. He previously provided false testimony during a court case to protect his friend.

Aaron is a young man from Ransom, Indiana, whose family holds significant political power in their hometown. He used his parents' influence to escape legal consequences for his crimes.

Professor Tolbert is a rigorous academic instructor with high expectations for his students. He offers a makeup exam after a large portion of the class fails his difficult midterm.