Maisie is a young Indigenous girl living in Seattle who experiences severe depression and anxiety following an ACL tear that halts her ballet training. Without the physical and emotional outlet of the dance studio, she isolates herself from her peers and struggles academically. She is highly observant of her family's past traumas and current political anxieties. To cope with her pain, she spends her time reading fiction in the library and attending physical therapy.

Jack is Maisie's stepfather and a member of the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe who works as a geoduck driver on the Salish Sea. Raised by his grandfather after a difficult childhood, he possesses a deep knowledge of Pacific Northwest history. He treats Maisie as his own daughter and actively seeks to ground his children in their cultural heritage through traditional stories and outdoor activities.

Angie is Maisie's mother, a Makah woman who grew up in Neah Bay before her family relocated due to threats surrounding the tribe's whaling revival. Widowed when her first husband died in action in Afghanistan, she raised Maisie alone before marrying Jack. She channels her past grief into political protests and relies heavily on her mobile phone to stay connected with loved ones and news updates.

Connor is Maisie's six-year-old half-brother. He acts as a bright, optimistic presence in the household, constantly eager to play games and find treasure on the beach. His relentless enthusiasm stands in sharp contrast to Maisie's quiet depression, making him both a source of light and occasional exhaustion for his older sister.

Eva is one of Maisie's best friends from ballet class. She continues her training and auditions while Maisie is injured, frequently sending text messages about pointe shoes, television shows, and dance news. Her consistent updates inadvertently trigger Maisie's feelings of guilt and isolation.

Hattie is a gifted dancer who trains with Maisie and Eva. She lives in a large Seattle house equipped with a ballet barre and possesses natural talent that sometimes makes Maisie jealous. She carries deep guilt over Maisie's situation, as she actively encouraged the specific dance move that resulted in Maisie's ACL tear.

Mr. Lawson is Maisie's physical therapist. He guides her through electrical stimulation and knee exercises to rehabilitate her torn ACL. He encourages her steady progress while firmly reminding her that physical trauma requires significant time and patience to heal properly.

Maisie's late biological father was a Piscataway man who grew up near the Chesapeake Bay. He struggled academically in high school and enlisted in the military, meeting Angie while stationed in Tacoma. He deployed to Afghanistan immediately after their wedding and died in action before Maisie turned one.

Jack's late grandfather, affectionately known as See-yah, took Jack in when he was a reckless teenager. Despite suffering his own traumas from forced removal and assimilation in a residential school, he passed down traditional Lower Elwha Klallam knowledge and taught his grandson what it means to be one of the Strong People.

Aunt Alice is the sister of Maisie's late father. She maintains contact with Angie online and frequently comments on family photos. She expresses how much she misses her niece and tries to bridge the physical distance between them through digital communication.

Maisie's classroom teacher observes her delayed arrival and apparent isolation on the last day before winter break. She recognizes Maisie's struggles and gently encourages her to seek support from the school counselors, providing writing prompts that allow Maisie a quiet avenue for self-expression.