Frankie is a 15-year-old sophomore at the elite Alabaster Preparatory Academy. Over the summer, she physically matures but feels frustrated that her family still treats her like a helpless child, nicknaming her "Bunny Rabbit." She possesses a sharp intellect and a growing awareness of the unspoken social rules that demand female obedience. Fascinated by the concept of the panopticon, she begins to critically observe the patriarchal power structures at her school.

Matthew is an attractive, wealthy senior at Alabaster Prep and the son of a newspaper magnate. He exudes effortless confidence and enjoys a great deal of social privilege, which allows him to casually break minor rules without fear of consequences. He likes feeling protective of Frankie but expects her to conform to traditional, submissive girlfriend behaviors.

Alpha is a popular senior at Alabaster Prep who attends the school on a scholarship after previously losing his financial support. He compensates for his lack of family wealth by aggressively asserting his dominance and maintaining his status as the leader of his friend group. He is fiercely protective of his territory, including his close friendship with Matthew, and expects the girls he dates to follow his lead unconditionally.

Trish is Frankie's roommate at Alabaster Prep. She represents the conventional female student who accepts and operates comfortably within the school's patriarchal social structures. She focuses on typical teenage interests like baking and dating, frequently policing Frankie's unconventional language and behavior to encourage conformity.

Zada is Frankie's older sister and a freshman at Berkeley. She is a former Alabaster student who identifies as a feminist and frequently offers Frankie advice on male behavior and social dynamics. Despite her progressive views, she still thinks of Frankie as a naive child and struggles to see her as an equal.

Franklin is Frankie's father, a doctor, and a proud "Old Boy" alumnus of Alabaster Prep who calls himself "Senior." He values the loyalties and connections formed in boarding school above almost anything else, letting his memories of youth dominate his self-image. He frequently emphasizes the importance of networking and institutional loyalty to his daughters.

Ruth is Frankie's mother. She is highly protective of her youngest daughter, frequently using the infantilizing nickname "Bunny Rabbit." She views the world as a dangerous place for young women and is relieved when Frankie acquires a male protector, reinforcing traditional gender roles despite claiming to be progressive.

Porter is a student at Alabaster Prep and Frankie's ex-boyfriend. He is the son of a wealthy power company executive. He attempts to re-enter Frankie's life under the guise of protecting her from older boys, failing to realize that his condescension only angers her.

Elizabeth is a former child actor and Alpha's current girlfriend at Alabaster Prep. She willingly steps into the designated role of the submissive partner for Alpha's friend group. She actively enforces gender norms among the other girls, quickly mocking Frankie for acting independently or demonstrating courage.

Star is a student at Alabaster Prep who dates Dean, one of the popular senior boys. She participates in the social power plays of her peer group, frequently feigning ignorance to make others feel excluded.

Dean is a popular senior at Alabaster Prep and part of Matthew and Alpha's exclusive inner circle. He shares their immunity to consequences and participates in their social dominance.

Artie is a student at Alabaster Prep and a member of the Audio Visual Technology Club. He is Trish's boyfriend and inadvertently provides access to the school's infrastructure due to the keys he carries for his club duties.

Headmaster Richmond is the authority figure in charge of Alabaster Preparatory Academy. He represents the school's traditional, patriarchal establishment that maintains order and values the contributions of its wealthy "Old Boy" alumni.