Indianapolis

The novel is set in Indianapolis, Indiana's capital city located roughly in the center of the state. The principal characters live in the suburbs just outside of the city. It is a typical Midwestern suburban area, featuring a plethora of chain restaurants. The girls socialize at Applebee's, and Daisy works at Chuck E. Cheese. The White River separates Aza's middle class neighborhood from Davis Pickett's much more affluent one. Daisy explains that Indianapolis was founded on the White River because the waterway was believed to be useful as a shipping route. That was before the founders discovered that it was much too shallow for this purpose. The girls attend the fictional public White River High School, whereas Davis attends private school.

White River High School

Aza and Daisy attend White River High School, and Aza's mother teaches there. White River's cafeteria is the site of Aza's terrible thought...