Just Listen

Protagonist Annabel has been known for her beautiful appearance since her first modeling role as a baby. She is a kindhearted, polite, and introverted girl who wants everyone to get along. As a classic people-pleaser like her mother, Grace, Annabel doesn’t like to upset others. Unlike her often-feuding sisters, Annabel avoids conflict, smoothing over arguments and negative experiences.

Annabel’s main flaw of avoiding conflict leads her to internalize negative feelings rather than resolving them through conversation. Most prominently, her traumatic rape left her feeling shame, guilt, confusion, fear, and isolation. Annabel withdraws into herself, not accepting invitations to parties as she tries to heal over the summer, and her anxiety spikes when she has to see Sophie again. Notably, Annabel would be justified in feeling upset with Will and Sophie after her rape and Sophie refusing to believe her, but she is the one who wants to make amends. She refuses to fight Sophie and her hurled insults of “slut” and “bitch” daily. Annabel’s extreme avoidance of conflict applies to herself as well. She refuses to face the reality of her trauma or listen to her own voice, that one crying for her to tell the truth.