Eric “Moby” Calhoune: The narrator, Eric, has always struggled with his weight and the status of an outcast. He earned the nickname "Moby" because he has an extreme lung capacity; however loses weight later on after joining the swim team. He is best friends with fellow outcast Sarah Byrnes, whose facial scarring caused her social problems. Eric is recruited by the swim coach, begins to lose weight, and fears that Sarah Byrnes will not remain friends with him if he is no longer fat.