Traits of main characters.

Tamaya follows the rules and does what hse believes to be right, even though other children don't respect her for it. She is viewed as a "goody-two-shoes". None-the-less, over the course of the novel, Tamaya does the unexpected and searches for Chad after he goes missing, willing to take the consequences if she's caught.

Marshall, like Tamaya, is a good kid. He avoids trouble, and unfortunately, his avoidance is what gets him into trouble. When Chad makes noise about wanting to beat him up, Marshall avoids him by taking a different way home. Chad is a bully, and Marshall doesn't want to fight. When Chad disappears, Marshall is relieved. When Tamaya goes to serach for Chad.... Marshall stays behind. Over the course of the story, Marshall engages rather than going the other way. His worry over Tamaya eliminates any hesitation he might feel.