Sabrina Carpenter
Adelaide "Addy" Prentiss is one of the four students at Bayview High suspected of murdering Simon Kelleher. She is a senior at Bayview who is known for her good looks and her relationship with Jake Riordan.
Biography[]
In the early stages of the novel, Addy is not very ambitious and Nate describes her as not having a thought in her head other than her boyfriend. She is in a so-called "perfect" relationship with her controlling boyfriend. However, she cheats on her boyfriend, Jake Riordan, with one of his friends, TJ Forrester. The secret is revealed after Simon's death on his website, and her life falls apart. Her boyfriend breaks up with her, all her friends except Cooper leave her, and she kept being slut-shamed by Vanessa, a girl who she thought was her friend. She cut off her hair as an symbol for a new start, because they reminded her of Jake.
She also becomes close friends with Nate, Bronwyn, Janae, Maeve, Phoebe and Knox. By the end of the book, Addy is opinionated and not afraid to say what's on her mind.
Physical Appearance[]
Addy's first appearance was in chapter 1 when Bronwyn describes her in detention. She had long, "Shampoo ad" blonde hair which many people, including herself, believe was her best feature. After she breaks up with her boyfriend, Addy suddenly decides she needs a change and cuts off most of her hair. She later dyed it purple because she couldn't keep up with the maintenance requirements of short hair. Addy is stated to have delicate, -pixie like features with a heart-shaped face.
Personality and Character Development[]
Addy's character undergoes significant development throughout the novel. Initially depicted as a typical high school "queen bee," Addy's vulnerability and complexity are gradually revealed as the story unfolds. Her struggles with societal expectations, peer pressure, and maintaining a façade become evident as she faces the repercussions of Simon's death. Readers witness Addy's transformation from a seemingly superficial character to a more resilient and self-aware individual.
Character Analysis[]
Addy is having problems to stand up for her own oppinion in the beginning. She seems to be the kind of a person that trusts people around her easily without questioning their personality or their intentions. She also takes everything easy and sometimes fails to read social cues. For example, she only notices something is off in her sister's marriage or that Jake helped her with her backpack on the day Simon died when she was feeling bad herself. She seemingly was under strong influence of her mother's actions, as she still lives with her who notices all her different relationships. Having a boyfriend seemed necessary to Addy.
Relationships[]
Addy's romantic involvement with TJ Forrester, despite being in a relationship with Jake, is a significant plot point. The consequences of this choice impact Addy's personal life, friendships, and reputation. The novel explores the challenges Addy faces as she grapples with the fallout from her decisions and the complexities of teenage relationships.
In "One of Us is Back," it is revealed that Addy develops feelings for her friend Keely Soria. This revelation adds depth to Addy's character, showcasing her evolving understanding of her own emotions and relationships.
Themes[]
Addy's character is instrumental in exploring various themes prevalent in "One of Us is Lying," including the consequences of societal expectations, the impact of secrets on personal relationships, and the complexities of identity in adolescence. Her journey serves as a lens through which the novel examines the challenges faced by young individuals in a high-pressure environment.