Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses depictions of sexual assault, sexual assault of children, violence, and suicide.

Xavier Alston-Holt is 18 years old, is biracial, and lives with his mother, Valerie, in Oak Knoll, North Carolina. He is a protagonist in the novel, and he is depicted as caring, responsible, determined, and intense. His intensity is both a positive trait and a character flaw. His determination and intensity have helped him secure a scholarship to a highly rated school. These traits also drive him to pursue Juniper when he knows that it is not a good idea, given her father and the fact that Xavier is leaving for school soon.

Xavier’s most prominent flaws are his naivete and his shortsightedness. He was raised with the message that he could “be just a kid, not a Black kid” (27). He does not fully believe this, as he has dealt with both subtle and overt racism in his neighborhood, but he hopes that it is true and lives his life like it is. Xavier is also shortsighted, particularly when it comes to Juniper. His shortsightedness causes him to misjudge Brad and assume that Brad is a decent man.