Dash's best friend and a fellow sophomore newspaper writer. Assigned to cover the auditorium opening, his developing relationship with Verti triggers Dash's jealousy. He is rescued from the flooded library by Dash and later co-authors a book about the sinking school.
Their emerging romance intensifies Dash's sense of betrayal.
Verti assigns Assaf the auditorium story, and Dash clearly notices a relationship forming between Assaf and Verti.
Their close friendship is strained by jealousy but ultimately survives the disaster.
The plot identifies Dash and Assaf as best friends and sophomore co-writers for the school newspaper.