Piddy is a tenth-grade student who recently transferred to Daniel Jones High after her mother relocated them to a new apartment. She loves elephants and cherishes a small charm necklace that gives her emotional comfort. Her long-term ambition is to work with wild animals. Once a confident and capable student, the sudden threat of physical violence from a stranger causes her constant anxiety, shifting her daily focus from academics to physical survival.

Clara is Piddy's single mother. She is a strict, hardworking woman who expects academic excellence and quiet obedience. She constantly worries that her daughter will adopt negative cultural stereotypes, prompting her to heavily police Piddy's clothing and behavior. Formerly a talented pianist, she abandoned music when her relationship ended, choosing to maintain a stern exterior to mask past hurts.

Lila is Clara's closest confidante and acts as a surrogate aunt to Piddy. She works as a highly requested shampoo girl at Salón Corazón, where she earns large tips by providing beauty services and emotional support to clients. She bridges the gap between Piddy and Clara, offering practical help with adolescent milestones while serving as a fierce protector.

Yaqui is a student at Daniel Jones High with an established reputation for fighting and intimidation. Coming from a difficult neighborhood without parental support, she operates entirely in a survival mindset. She targets Piddy over a perceived slight involving her boyfriend, launching a relentless campaign of physical violence and psychological harassment.

Mitzi is Piddy's long-time best friend who recently moved away to Long Island. She enjoys a more comfortable life in her new suburb, taking up sports and integrating into a different social circle. The geographical distance creates emotional strain as her daily reality drifts apart from Piddy's increasingly dangerous situation.

Rob is a highly academic, socially awkward student at Daniel Jones High. He helps run the school magazine and faces frequent harassment from his peers, including having antigay slurs written on his locker. Despite his own struggles, he quietly observes the bullying occurring around him and attempts to help when possible.

Joey is a childhood friend of Piddy who still lives in her old building. He maintains a hardened exterior developed from witnessing his father's frequent violence toward his mother. Beneath this tough presentation, he retreats into the building's basement where he secretly cares for stray animals.

Darlene is a student aide in the guidance office who provides Piddy with crucial information about the school's social dynamics. She maintains a purely transactional relationship with Piddy, offering to pass along schedules or cover for absences exclusively in exchange for physics homework answers.

Mr. Flatwell is the dean of student discipline at Daniel Jones High. He oversees Saturday detentions and attempts to uncover the underlying issues causing students to miss class or act out, though his direct questioning often prompts students to close off entirely.

Agustín is Piddy's absent father who left Clara before Piddy was born. He originally played the organ in a church and bonded with Clara over music. His complete absence leaves Piddy with lingering questions about her identity and worth.

Ms. Shepherd is an English teacher at Daniel Jones High. She actively encourages her students to express themselves through writing, organizes the school magazine, and provides extra credit assignments to help struggling students.

Raúl is a divorced police officer currently dating Lila. He patrols the rough neighborhood where Yaqui lives and brings a steady, calming presence to Lila's social circle, offering practical assistance during crises.

Gloria is the owner of Salón Corazón, a popular neighborhood hub. She runs a successful business by prioritizing customer happiness and creating a lively, welcoming atmosphere where local women gather to socialize and share news.

Vanesa is one of Yaqui's associates who acts as a messenger. She tracks Piddy down to relay threats and coordinates public confrontations on Yaqui's behalf, extending the bully's reach.

Mrs. Boika is a cold resident of Piddy's new building who tends closely to her rosebushes. She refuses to greet her neighbors and watches neighborhood conflicts from her window without intervening.

Alfredo is Yaqui's boyfriend. His supposed attention toward Piddy serves as the sole catalyst for Yaqui's relentless bullying campaign.

Mrs. Halper is Joey's mother and Piddy's former neighbor. She frequently covers up the domestic abuse she suffers at the hands of her husband, apologizing to others rather than asking for help.

Mr. Halper is Joey's father. His violent physical outbursts create a highly toxic home environment that forces his son to retreat into the basement for safety.

Mrs. Ortega is Mitzi's mother. She is a welcoming woman who moved her family out to the suburbs in order to secure a better, safer environment for her daughter.

Beba is a regular salon customer and Avon party guest. She casually gossips about Clara's past and accidentally spills soda on Piddy while dancing at a party.

Sophia is one of Mitzi's new suburban friends. She accidentally calls Piddy by the wrong name when they meet, unintentionally reinforcing Piddy's feeling of alienation.

Fabio is Gloria's ill-tempered little dog who roams freely around Salón Corazón, much to Piddy's annoyance.

Miss Castenado is a teacher at Daniel Jones High who runs the school's anti-bullying program. She attempts to mediate conflicts by encouraging open dialogue among students.