Kyle is the central protagonist and first-person narrator of the novel. He is a young man who struggles through trauma and transition, but is also characterized by generosity and sensitivity. Kyle’s first transition, that of graduating high school, embodies a trope seen in young adult fiction. In high school, Kyle was popular and had a girlfriend he loved. On the surface, his life looked flawless. But he was also trapped by his desire to have the perfect life, and often ignored the signs that his relationship was not ideal.

The second transition occurs when he gets in the car accident with Kimberly. When he believes Kim to be dead, he struggles with Grief and Guilt and to understand a life without her. Kyle’s mother, Marley, and Sam help him transition through this pain, showing the importance of friendship, love, and emotional support. They help him see that just because Kim’s life is over doesn’t mean that his is. They encourage him to let go of the past, think less about perfection, and embrace happiness. A third transition occurs when Kyle and Marley enter a romantic relationship.