As the protagonist of the novella, Viola Bowen is a round and dynamic character whose journey is defined by the intersection of her professional ambitions and her personal insecurities. A talented and passionate lead game designer at FlyButter Studios, her primary motivation is to create a video game adaptation of The Limerence Saga, a book series that holds deep sentimental value, as it connects her to her late father. 

This passion drives her to excel in her field, yet her personal life is governed by overthinking and a tendency to draw conclusions based on incomplete information. Her entire perception of her relationship with Jesse Andrews is built upon a misunderstanding, a foundational error that colors her every interaction with him. This flaw illustrates the central theme of The Cost of Misperception in Building Relationships, as Viola’s assumption of Jesse’s dislike for her creates a significant emotional barrier that she must learn to dismantle. Her internal monologue reveals a constant battle between her professional confidence and her personal vulnerability, particularly when she reflects on her history with Jesse: “I’ve expended a frankly embarrassing amount of energy figuring out what I’d done to [him] to deserve being ignored at best, and treated like I’m a poisonous mushroom who dared to grow on the outside of [his] stupid raised bed at worst” (52).