A bright and ambitious 17-year-old Latino boy, aspiring artist, and athlete, who forms a significant bond with Ari and struggles with aspects of his identity and cultural heritage.

Ari’s mother and a dedicated teacher who provides Ari with strong emotional support, demonstrating intelligence, resilience, and confidence in both her professional and personal life.

Ari’s father, a Vietnam War veteran and mailman, who is quiet and distant due to past trauma but ultimately supportive and affectionate towards his family.

Dante’s mother and father, respectively, who are both successful professionals and act as a second set of loving and supportive parents towards Ari.

A strong-willed and intelligent 17-year-old girl from El Paso who becomes a close friend of Ari's, providing companionship and understanding, particularly in terms of personal struggles and identity.

Ari’s estranged older brother, incarcerated for a violent crime, whose presence in the family’s past casts a shadow over their present.

Ari’s loyal and understanding dog, who provides him with companionship and emotional support during challenging times.

A middle-aged woman who owns an art gallery and forms a meaningful bond with Ari and Dante, revealing her personal struggles with past loss.

A middle-aged gay man living in Paris who is an old friend of the Quintana family, offering warmth and acceptance to Ari during his stay abroad.