Lily Hu
Lily is the main character and protagonist of the novel. Early on, she realizes that she has an attraction towards women and is a lesbian. This plays out in her relationship with Kathleen Miller, who is a slightly older teenager than she is. Lily struggles with not being accepted by those around her, including by her friends and family.
Shirley Lum never fully realizes that Lily is a lesbian, but she does suspect something is off and their friendship remains somewhat strained throughout the novel. At the end of the story, Lily's parents find out that she is a homosexual, and they send her away under the guise of safety. Despite these setbacks, Lily continues to frequent the Telegraph Club to see a male impersonator perform and her relationship with Kathleen remains strong.
Kathleen Miller
Kathleen Miller is one of Lily Hu's classmates to whom she romantically bonds. The two share in interest in STEM, particularly airplanes and outer space. Throughout the novel, Kathleen's love for Lily grows and becomes more apparent. Kathleen is a dynamic character in the same way that Lily is - her personality grows and she comes to accept that she is a lesbian.
Near the end of the novel, the Telegraph Club is raided by police and Kathleen is taken away. It is revealed that Kathleen's parents also don't accept her sexuality. However, by the novel's epilogue, it is revealed that Kathleen is safe, and the two girls continue their happy relationship.
Shirley Lum
Shirley is another one of Lily's classmates, but is much more of a static character. She continues to be rather interested in herself throughout the novel, and is homophobic. She warns Lily to stay away from Kathleen because she suspects that she is queer.
Nevertheless, Shirley and Lily stay friends, mostly because they have known each other since childhood and can relate to one another because they are both ethnically Chinese. When Shirley tells Lily that she wants to have help winning a beauty pageant, Lily agrees, an illustration of the continued bond of the friendship.
