Nick Andreas
Nick is a sixteen year old kid that goes to Key Biscayne high school. He was punished by law for hitting his ex-girlfriend, Caitlin McCourt. As part of his punishment, Nick is to keep a journal explaining their entire relationship, from start to finish, including every last detail. In addition to this, he is to attend a family violence class for the next six months, and he has to completely stay away from Caitlin, as she has just placed a restraining order against him. In this book, Nick goes from a cocky, mask-wearer to an understanding, honest gentleman. The class and journal force him to come to terms with the fact that Caitlin is gone forever, and that it is truly better this way. Nick learns that his father really does love him, but tough love is the only way he knows how to show it. He also learns that his best friend, Tom, doesn't actually have a perfect life. All Tom wanted was for Nick to be an honest friend, after all, what are friends for? He learns that the mask isn't the real him. All he wants is to be accepted by his father, Caitlin, and his friends. When he learns to tune this out, he will become a stronger person. The book says that Nick tries to make his father proud in everything that he does, but he is only recognized when he is caught having a physical relationship with Caitlin. And, because he is forced to accept all of this by the end of the book, he becomes a better person.