Character Relationship Map: Cherry Crush

Characters

• Shay Bettencourt (played by Nikki Reed) — protagonist

  Shay Bettencourt is a cellist aspiring to attend Hartley and join a professional orchestra. She becomes romantically involved with Jordan Wells while pursuing a scholarship arrangement with Wade Chand...

• Jordan Wells (played by Jonathan Tucker) — supporting

  Jordan Wells is a wealthy family’s son and a photographer fascinated by the natural beauty of nude models. After expulsion from his prep school, he meets Shay Bettencourt, photographs her with Wade Ch...

• Wade Chandling (played by Frank Whaley) — supporting

  Wade Chandling is an older married man who frequents the country club attended by Jordan Wells’s family. He promises Shay Bettencourt a scholarship through his connections, but later tries to withdraw...

• Detective Griffin (played by Michael O'Keefe) — supporting

  Detective Griffin investigates Wade Chandling’s death and eventually identifies Shay Bettencourt’s connection to the crime. He attempts to exchange evidence implicating Jordan Wells for money stolen f...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Detective Griffin → Jordan Wells (Professional Investigator And Suspect) — Griffin treats Jordan as a suspect connected to Wade’s death.

  Griffin tries to arrest Jordan during the evidence-and-money exchange.

• Detective Griffin → Shay Bettencourt (Professional Investigator And Suspect) — Griffin investigates Shay’s role and uses the evidence to pressure her.

  Detective Griffin figures out Shay’s connection to Wade’s death and attempts to arrange an exchange involving her stolen money.

• Shay Bettencourt → Wade Chandling (Professional Transactional Arrangement) — Wade’s promised financial assistance is tied to a private arrangement with Shay.

  Shay says Wade will use his connections to obtain a full scholarship for her at Hartley.

• Shay Bettencourt → Jordan Wells (Romantic Partners) — Their attraction develops into a relationship shaped by secrecy, crime, and conflicting plans.

  Shay becomes attracted to Jordan, and the two form a romantic relationship after Jordan learns about her circumstances.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Jordan Wells → Wade Chandling (Social Country Club Acquaintances) — They are connected through the social environment of Jordan’s wealthy family.

  Wade frequents the country club attended by Jordan’s family.

Story Analysis

A secretive romance becomes a criminal partnership when financial desperation, blackmail, and violence destroy the characters' hopes for a clean future.

Plot Progression

1. A Displaced Photographer — Jordan's private photography hobby is discovered, causing his expulsion from prep school. His transfer introduces him to Shay at a public high school.
2. Secrets Beneath Attraction — Jordan learns that Shay has concealed her impoverished home life. Their growing friendship becomes connected to her plan for a Hartley scholarship through Wade.
3. The Price of the Scholarship — Jordan photographs Shay and Wade to protect their arrangement, while Jordan and Shay begin a romance. The relationship collapses when Wade attempts to withdraw his promise.
4. Violence in the Woods — Shay uses the photographs to blackmail Wade, but the confrontation turns violent. Jordan intervenes, and the pair kill Wade and dispose of his body.
5. Evidence and Escape — Detective Griffin connects Shay to Wade's death and arranges an exchange involving evidence and stolen money. Shay shoots Griffin, then separates from Jordan when he refuses to flee with her.