BROOKE is a student in ninth grade at Kadic. She is of Amerindian descent, and this is evident in her appearance although never alluded to otherwise. She has broad, flat cheekbones, a coffee-with-cream complexion, and straight, black hair with several small braids in it. Her outfit is best described as Bohemian – a headband with tribal patterns, a skirt, a shirt with a beaded fringe, large hoop earrings. She speaks in an overly precise manner and her demeanor is phlegmatic, droll: she knows more words then you, but she won't be too condescending about it.
ELLIE is a newcomer, just starting sixth grade. She has pale skin, jagged red hair, and angular features. There is an overwhelming air of childishness about her, starting with her shrill voice and sloppy use of language but not ending there. She postures aggressively, always trying to push peoples' buttons; the moment they flare up, though, she becomes indrawn and whiney, victimized. When we first see her, she wears a shirt with a turtle logo and jeans.
DERRIK is Ellie's older brother, a student in the eighth grade. He didn't inherit the redhead gene, and his features are blunter, but he does have a pale complexion, accentuated by his short, brown hair. He personifies 'the decent sort,' an amicable, stolid fellow who can get on well enough with anyone. He rarely seems too worried, and, although not flippant, often fails to see the gravity of a situation. He has a hoarse, nasal voice with a hint of gravel, as though he smokes (he does not, to clear up any misconceptions); his outfit tends towards collared button-ups and neat, dark slacks.
DIANA is in Brooke's grade and from the same commune. She's the rebel, the spitfire, burningly serious warrior. In direct defiance to her liberal, peace-out upbringing, she has become a jock and an aggressor. She has studied everything from martial arts to sharpshooting, and her movements reveal grace and athletecism, with a brusque façade not quite concealing the physical power bottled up beneath it. She has blonde hair pulled back into two severe braids, but you would never mistake her for a cheerleader – too angular and wiry, with a perpetual smirk. She has a slightly higher voice then Brooke, and employs it for cutting sarcasm. Her outfits tend towards jeans and tank-tops.
MS. HERTZ hasn't been changed by the last eight years. She still teaches science, and probably will until Kadic is shut down.
MS. RUCCI is the new gym teacher, a short woman with closely cropped blonde hair. She is lean, loud-voiced, and athletic. A harsh taskmistress, she forces students to work in gym, but works almost as hard herself, actively demonstrating their various exercises. She often vanishes for basketball tournaments, etc, and seems to have an inexhaustible supply of boyfriends.
MR. ZAREGO is the drama teacher, a rather ordinary-looking fellow, brown hair and glasses, who couldn't quite make it on Broadway and found himself drawn back to France where he took a teaching position. He often affects an accent when addressing his class and is an old hand at student tricks, hard to put one over.
ZAO QUIN is a drama student and friend of Derrik's. He's of Asian descent, with pale skin and black hair he wears in a long ponytail. His wardrobe is impressively eclectic, ranging from trench coats to Hawaiian shirts, although most days you'll find him in a tee and jeans. He tends to wear a fake mustache – don't ask – and speaks with some indefinable accent that emphasizes consonants and pinches off the endings of words. Like Derrik, he is not given to solemnity; in fact, he is the wise-cracking comic relief of the group.
CASHAY is a girl in Zao's drama class. She has dark skin, wears her hair in a complex braid down her back, and speaks in a very soft voice unless she's acting, in which case it becomes loud, dramatic, and usually acquires a High English accent.
MS. ROBERTS is the new principal, who took over when Mr. Delmas retired after the mysterious death/disappearance of his daughter. She is in her mid thirties and unexpectedly pretty for a teacher, with dark skin, dramatically large eyes, and short, neat black hair. Universally disdained by the student body, she only involves herself with the more mundane workings of the school to veto clubs and/or events. Has a rich, precise voice and tends to wear 'trendy' clothes.
SIKHANDER is a ninth-grade student. He is Arabic in appearance, with dark skin, darker eyes, and curly black hair just long enough to look unkempt. He has something of an accent, though his English is good. He is cautious, intense, and introverted. His outfit consists of an unbuttoned button-up shirt over a T-shirt and jeans.