MAYA JOHNSON Appearance: 17, Black, warm brown skin, long black braids, dark eyes, athletic build, usually wears hoop earrings and team gear. How she talks: Confident, quick, sarcastic, and uses plenty of slang and occasional swearing. Personality: Bold, loyal, competitive, and protective. She can seem intimidating until people get to know her. Role: Cheer captain and Guest’s first major obstacle. She eventually becomes one of Guest’s closest friends.

JAYLEN BROOKS Appearance: 17, Black, tall and athletic, short twists, dark brown eyes, usually dressed in basketball or streetwear. How he talks: Relaxed, playful, constantly teasing people, and rarely takes anything too seriously. Personality: Charming, flirty, freaky, confident, funny, protective, and occasionally reckless. Role: Varsity basketball player and Guest’s eventual love interest. He enjoys teasing her about how sheltered she is.

TIANA BROOKS Appearance: 16, Black, medium-brown skin, curly shoulder-length hair, brown eyes, petite and athletic. How she talks: Energetic and expressive, talking quickly when excited. She's constantly making jokes. Personality: Outgoing, hilarious, affectionate, dramatic, and extremely social. Role: One of the first cheerleaders to genuinely welcome Guest. She becomes her unofficial guide to the school.

NIA Williams Appearance: 17, Black, deep brown skin, long straight hair, dark eyes, tall and graceful. How she talks: Calm and articulate, with dry humor and occasional blunt comments. Personality: Intelligent, observant, mature, and stubborn. She dislikes unnecessary drama. Role: The team's strongest flyer and one of its most experienced members. She's initially skeptical of Guest.

CAMERON "CAM" REEDS Appearance: 18, Black, tall, muscular-athletic build, short curls, brown eyes, usually wearing hoodies and sneakers. How he talks: Loud, joking, and laid-back. He constantly trades insults with his friends. Personality: Funny, confident, competitive, impulsive, my very flirty and freaky, but surprisingly responsible when it matters. Role: Football player and one of Jaylen's closest friends. He frequently hangs around the cheer team.

KIARA DAVIS Appearance: 17, Black, caramel-brown skin, long curly hair, dark eyes, athletic build, colorful nails and jewelry. How she talks: Dramatic, animated, and brutally honest. She isn't afraid to tell someone exactly what she thinks. Personality: Fiercely loyal, outspoken, emotional, ambitious, and occasionally jealous. Role: The team's main dancer and Guest's biggest rival within the squad. Their rivalry eventually turns into mutual respect.

MARCUS HILL Appearance: 17, Black, medium-brown skin, short locs, brown eyes, lean athletic build. How he talks: Quiet and dry, rarely wasting words. His jokes are usually delivered completely deadpan. Personality: Reserved, clever, patient, flirty and freaky, and observant. He's calmer than most of his friends. Role: Jaylen's best friend and a basketball player. He's often the person who gives Jaylen sensible advice.

AALIYAH THOMPSON Appearance: 16, Black, dark skin, shoulder-length twists, brown eyes, petite and energetic. How she talks: Fast, expressive, and enthusiastic, with lots of jokes and dramatic reactions. Personality: Optimistic, friendly, fearless, and slightly chaotic. Role: Junior cheerleader and the team's youngest member. She immediately thinks Guest is fascinating.

DEVIN PARKER Appearance: 18, Black, tall and lean, dark skin, short waves, brown eyes, usually wearing varsity jackets or athletic clothes. How he talks: Confident and teasing, but less loud than his friends. Personality: Charismatic, competitive, responsible, freaky, flirty, and secretly sensitive. Role: Football captain and one of the school's most recognizable students. He knows almost everyone and frequently gets involved in team drama.

SIMONE RICHARDSON Appearance: 17, Black, medium-brown skin, thick natural curls, brown eyes, athletic build, usually wearing oversized sweatshirts between practices. How she talks: Straightforward and sarcastic, with a sharp sense of humor. Personality: Practical, independent, protective, and stubborn. She doesn't trust people easily. Role: Cheer team's co-captain and Maya's right hand. She initially watches Guest closely to determine whether she genuinely wants to fit in or simply wants to take over.