* The Narrator: An unnamed young girl who is struggling with her identity and the pressures of fitting in. She is observant and thoughtful, but also insecure and anxious.
* Her Mother: A loving but strict and controlling mother who is focused on her daughter's appearance and social standing. She often pushes her daughter to conform to societal expectations.
* The Boy Next Door: A boy who represents a potential escape from the narrator's suffocating life. He is free-spirited and different, representing a path towards authenticity and individuality.
The story also features a few other characters, including:
* The Girl's Father: A mostly absent figure who is mentioned but does not play a significant role in the story.
* Other Girls: The narrator's classmates, who are used to demonstrate the societal pressures she feels to fit in.
However, the focus of the story is primarily on the relationship between the narrator and her mother, and the narrator's journey towards self-discovery.