Mallory Quinn is the novel’s narrator. She is a recovering addict who fell into heroin and painkillers after two injuries: One was sustained through cross country running, and the other during a car wreck that killed her sister. Prior to her addiction, Mallory’s main character traits are her curiosity, dedication to athletics, kindness, and love for her family. She writes, “That was our big refrain growing up: showing up for each other” (249).

Mallory shows the discipline required to receive a college athletics offer. Her physical dedication provides a useful counterpoint to the destruction she inflicts on her body—and her psyche—through heavy drug use and many of its concomitant behaviors. It requires a commensurate amount of grit for her to gain and then maintain her sobriety. During her fight with Caroline, she thinks,

I know I am stronger than her and Ted combined. I have spent the last twenty months preparing for this moment. I have been running and swimming and eating right. I’ve been doing fifty push-ups every other day while Ted and Caroline sit and drink wine and do nothing (322).

After getting sober, Mallory’s days revolve around her recovery. She is insecure about herself and her worth, which shows when she lies about her situation to Adrian and his family.