Too Young to Marry

Jessica Carpenter is a hopeful, determined high school senior who dreams of becoming an orthopedic surgeon and attending Harvard. She balances her love for Max with family pressures and the fear of sacrificing her education. She is optimistic, stubborn, and capable of making tough choices to keep her future intact.

Max Doyle is Jessica's high school sweetheart who is practical and emotionally supportive but also conflicted about his future. He loves Jessica and proposes on Valentine's Day, and the couple faces the challenge of pursuing marriage alongside their education. His Harvard acceptance is deferred, forcing him to rethink college and plans, and he struggles with commitment and temptation.

Roger is Jessica's father, a protective figure who champions his daughter's education but is also willing to bend rules and family happiness for his own relationships. He reveals that his girlfriend Kelly is pregnant and they plan to marry, and he tries to navigate the tension between parental wishes and Jessica's ambitions. He ultimately begs Jessica not to marry, highlighting the complexities of love and responsibility.

Kelly is Roger's girlfriend who becomes pregnant, a catalyst for the family drama around marriage and legitimacy. Her presence forces Jessica to confront competing loyalties and the implications of adult decisions on younger family members. She represents the realities of adult relationships intersecting with teen life.

Sophie is a curious and sociable freshman who befriends Jessica, offering new perspectives and a window into the college transition. Her interactions with Jessica and Carter illuminate the social dynamics of first-year students and the temptations of college life.

Carter is a freshman who bonds with Jessica, sharing music and flirtatious moments. His presence creates tension for Jessica and Max, illustrating how new temptations can challenge committed relationships during early college life.