Vernon Gregory Little - The 15-year-old protagonist and narrator. Vernon is an outcast in his small Texas town of Martirio. After his friend Jesus commits a school shooting, Vernon becomes a suspect and the target of media frenzy, despite his innocence.

Doris Little - Vernon's overweight, single mother who is more concerned with material possessions than her son's well-being.

Eulalio "Lally" Ledesma - An unscrupulous reporter who seduces Doris to get close to Vernon and create sensationalized news stories implicating Vernon in the shooting for fame and profit.

Taylor Figueroa - Vernon's love interest who betrays him to Lally in hopes of achieving fame.

Deputy Vaine Gurie - A police officer from a prominent local family who interrogates Vernon about the shooting.

Sheriff Porkorney - The sheriff who accuses Vernon of being Jesus's gay lover to frame him for the shooting.

Palmyra "Pam" - Doris's best friend who is even larger than Doris.

Abdini - Vernon's incompetent but well-meaning public defender.

Developed by Perplexity AI