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Margot
A college sophomore and the story’s protagonist. Margot is sexually experienced yet also sexually insecure, and her initial flirtation with Robert, an older man, causes her much second-guessing and self-doubt. The progress of their relationship and its effect on her forms the story’s narrative arc. At twenty years old, Margot is attractive and aware of it, but her understanding of what attracts Robert to her is misguided.
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Robert
A single man in his mid-thirties who becomes enamored of Margot. Single and somewhat overweight, Robert can be witty and attentive, but he can also be controlling. The story doesn’t say what Robert does for a living or what his sexual history is. Robert’s final texts to Margot may reveal that he is a jealous and vindictive man, or they may suggest only his anger at how she ends their brief relationship.
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Margot’s mother and stepfather
Unnamed characters who are supportive of their daughter. Margot’s mother appears in Margot’s recollections about her first sexual experience, which her mother facilitated and supported. Her stepfather appears only during the semester break, when he seems somewhat suspicious of Margot’s supposed affection for the man she has been texting.
Tamara
Margot’s college roommate. Tamara appears toward the end of the story. Her main role is to support her roommate and enable Margot to break off the relationship with Robert. Tamara sends the break-up text and stays with Margot to wait for Robert’s reply, and she is by Margot when Robert’s final abusive texts, which end the story, arrive.
Albert
A student attending Margot’s university. Albert appears only at the end of the story, where he steps between Robert and Margot at the bar and then, with other students, escorts Margot back to campus. He is also the target of Robert’s jealous accusations in the volley of text messages that ends the story.
