Seven Minutes in Heaven

Natalie is a high school sophomore living with her father after her mother’s death. She forms a close friendship with Jeff and Polly and begins a tentative romance with Casey, balancing school, family, and her own creative ambitions. She is introspective, gentle, and learns to assert her own boundaries as she grows up.

Jeff is Natalie’s friend who clashes with his stepfather and ends up living with Natalie for a period. He experiences family conflict and seeks a sense of belonging, sometimes acting impulsively as he navigates his own boundaries. He is loyal to his friends but torn between home life and independence.

Polly is Natalie and Jeff’s friend who is consumed by her crush on Zoo Knudsen. Jealous and impulsive, she tries to prove herself and seeks sexual experience before Zoo’s attention returns. Her actions drive much of the drama and miscommunication among the trio.

Zoo is a professional baseball player and underwear model who captivates Polly and becomes a catalyst for many of her actions. He travels the country, drawing fan attention and affecting Polly’s perceptions of love and status.

Bill is a photographer who helps Polly avoid trouble by pretending to know her. He offers a protective, albeit morally ambiguous, adult presence and briefly hosts Polly, showing how adults can influence teen decisions in complicated ways.

Natalie’s father, who is away on business for much of the story. He returns to confront the living arrangements and eventually reconciles with Natalie, acknowledging the strain of his absence on their family.

Casey is Polly’s crush who is dating Natalie’s friend group dynamics and later reveals connections with Lisa. He represents the complications of attraction within a tight circle of friends.

Lisa is a classmate who becomes part of the love triangle, drawing Casey’s attention away from Natalie and adding tension to the group dynamics. Her presence influences the decisions and emotions of the main trio.

Supporting figures like a White House aide, a Vice-President, and others appear in Natalie’s Washington, D.C. sequence, representing the intersection of teen life with wider social structures.