Alex Blackwood

Alex is one of two narrators, as well as one of two main characters. She is from Philadelphia, and goes to Pitt for college because of its premed program. Alex is passionate about books, but pursues medicine in college because of the job and financial security that comes from being a doctor. This need for job security comes mainly from having to support her alcoholic mother. Her mother’s alcoholism also causes Alex to avoid close relationships. She avoids this fact about herself until Natalie brings it up during an argument. Alex is so hurt by this accusation that it pushes Alex to try and make real friends when she goes to college, rather than just hookups.

Alex’s life is very much characterized by a need to survive. This was true her entire life but became much worse when Alex’s father abandoned the family when...