When We Collided

Vivi is the main protagonist of When We Collided and is 16 years old when she moves to Verona Cove with her mother Carrie. She has bipolar disorder but has begun to refuse taking the medication that will help her control the hypomanic episodes. She has gained some weight while on her medication and has curled her hair after dyeing it platinum blonde. She usually dons “red lips and nails”(12) and Officer Hayashi initially compares her to Marilyn Monroe. Vivi wants to be costume designer when she is older; she is extremely careful with her appearance and has a penchant for vintage clothing. She usually wears long-sleeved clothing that will cover up her self-harm scar and the watercolor lotus tattoo that she got in her last hypomanic episode. On top of this, Vivi struggles with typical teenage problems such as disagreements with her mother, her father’s abandonment, her identity, and conflicts with her friends.

Vivi is bright and confident; she is extremely creative and kind and this helps her makes friends no matter where she goes. These traits allow her to play a role in helping Jonah connect with his family again. Her influence allows him to mend his relationship with his mother and accept the death of his father.