Neon Benton

Neon Benton is the main character and first-person narrator of the novel. In the narrative present, he is 17 years old and lives in Paradise Hill with his grandmother Gammy, dad Deon, mom Brina, and older sister Nat. Neon has a loving and supportive family. He relies on his sister for comfort, friendship, and advice. He also has positive relationships with his parents and grandmother. Therefore, Neon’s home and family spheres contribute to how he sees himself and understands the world.

Neon has been dating Aria Wright for two years. On their second anniversary, the couple decides to have sex for the first time. Neon has wanted to be intimate with Aria for some time, but he feels unsure what to expect from the experience. His friends’ and classmates’ boasting about sex confuses him and makes him uncomfortable. His love for the movies also complicates how he...