Character Relationship Map: The First Time

Characters

• Dave Hodgman (played by Dylan O'Brien) — protagonist

  A high school senior and protagonist who initially practices a love confession on his best friend Jane. He meets Aubrey, develops a romantic connection, navigates jealousy and rival relationships, and...

• Aubrey Miller (played by Britt Robertson) — protagonist

  A junior who initially has a boyfriend named Ronny. She meets Dave, experiences mutual attraction, confronts jealousy at a movie theater, dumps Ronny after a risky plan, and shares an awkward but hone...

• Simon Daldry (played by Craig Roberts) — supporting

  Dave's cocky best friend who suggests inviting Aubrey to the movies. He offers casual advice to Dave after his failed sexual encounter with Aubrey, emphasizing that it is not a big deal.

• Ronny (played by James Frecheville) — supporting

  Aubrey's boyfriend who is initially reluctant to watch the same movie as Dave and Jane. He brags about planning to have sex with Aubrey in his van, provoking Dave's jealousy, and ultimately gets dumpe...

• Jane Harmon (played by Victoria Justice) — supporting

  Dave's best friend and initial love interest. She flirts with Dave at the movies and later complains about her sexual experiences at a party, prompting Dave to realize his true feelings belong to Aubr...

• Stella (played by Maggie Elizabeth Jones) — supporting

  Dave's younger sister who joins Dave and Aubrey at a park meeting. Her presence adds a lighthearted family dynamic to their early interactions.

• Big Corporation (played by Lamarcus Tinker) — supporting

  Dave's quiet friend who advises him to reflect on his relationship with Aubrey. He reminds Dave that finding someone special is significant and encourages them to overcome their initial awkwardness by...

• Aubrey's Dad (played by Joshua Malina) — supporting
• Aubrey's Mom (played by Christine Taylor) — supporting

  Aubrey's mother who knocks on her daughter's bedroom door the morning after her and Dave accidentally fall asleep, prompting Dave to sneak out.

Canonical Relationships

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

• Aubrey's Dad → Aubrey's Mom (Family Spouses) — They function together as Aubrey's parents.

  The plot refers to Aubrey's parents together when Aubrey discusses pushing away a great guy and they comfort her.

• Aubrey's Dad → Aubrey Miller (Family Father) — Aubrey's father supports her emotionally after her conflict with Dave.

  Aubrey tells her parents that she pushed away a great guy, and they try to soothe her.

• Aubrey's Mom → Aubrey Miller (Family Mother) — Aubrey's mother is a parental presence in Aubrey's home.

  Aubrey's mother's knock wakes Aubrey and Dave the morning after they fall asleep together, forcing Dave to sneak out the window.

• Dave Hodgman → Stella (Family Brother) — Stella is Dave's younger sister and part of his family life.

  The plot identifies Stella as Dave's younger sister, and she joins Dave and Aubrey at the park.

• Dave Hodgman → Jane Harmon (Romantic Initial Love Interest) — Jane represents Dave's mistaken understanding of his own romantic feelings.

  Dave rehearses a confession of love for Jane and initially believes he has romantic feelings for her. Jane later flirts with him, but Dave realizes he...

• Dave Hodgman → Aubrey Miller (Romantic Interest) — Their relationship is the central romantic arc of the film.

  Dave and Aubrey develop mutual attraction after meeting outside a party. They later recognize their feelings, kiss, have sex, separate awkwardly, and...

• Aubrey Miller → Ronny (Romantic Boyfriend) — Their relationship creates the initial obstacle between Aubrey and Dave.

  Aubrey initially has a boyfriend named Ronny and attends the movie with him. She later tells Dave that she has dumped Ronny.

Story Dynamics

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

• Dave Hodgman → Aubrey's Mom (Household Conflict) — Dave avoids direct contact with Aubrey's mother after spending the night in Aubrey's room.

  Dave sneaks out of Aubrey's bedroom window after Aubrey's mother's knock wakes them.

• Aubrey Miller → Stella (Social Acquaintance) — Their interaction is a brief social connection during Dave and Aubrey's developing relationship.

  Aubrey meets Stella when Dave and Aubrey meet Stella at a park.

• Aubrey Miller → Jane Harmon (Conflict Romantic Rivalry) — Their tension comes from competing perspectives on Dave's romantic value.

  Aubrey becomes jealous when Jane flirts with Dave at the theater. Later, Aubrey hears Jane praise Dave while admitting that she does not appreciate hi...

• Dave Hodgman → Ronny (Conflict Romantic Rival) — Ronny is Dave's direct rival for Aubrey's attention.

  Dave becomes upset when Ronny boasts about having sex with Aubrey, warns Aubrey against it, and nearly fights Ronny when he appears.

• Simon Daldry → Big Corporation (Social Friend) — They belong to the same close friend group surrounding Dave.

  Simon and Big Corporation are both present with Dave at breakfast and during the later conversation about Aubrey.

• Dave Hodgman → Big Corporation (Social Friend) — Big Corporation provides quiet, reflective support to Dave.

  Dave meets Big Corporation for breakfast and later discusses Aubrey and the failed sexual experience with him.

• Dave Hodgman → Simon Daldry (Social Best Friend) — Simon is one of Dave's closest friends and a source of casual advice.

  Dave meets Simon for breakfast after the party, and Simon later gives him advice about the failed sexual encounter.

Story Analysis

Two teenagers move from confusion and jealousy toward an honest attempt at emotional and romantic commitment.

Plot Progression

1. A Chance Outside the Party — Dave begins the story focused on Jane, but meeting Aubrey changes the direction of his night. Their private conversation creates an unexpected emotional connection.
2. Jealousy Takes the Stage — Dave's friends encourage him to invite Aubrey to the movies, but Ronny's presence complicates the plan. Jane's flirting and Aubrey's jealousy expose the growing tension between the characters.
3. Choosing What Matters — Ronny's boast about sex provokes Dave into a confrontation. Dave then abandons his assumptions about Jane and recognizes that he wants Aubrey instead.
4. A Fragile First Time — Aubrey ends her relationship with Ronny, and she and Dave acknowledge their feelings. Their first sexual experience is awkward and leaves both of them uncertain.
5. Trying Again — Dave's friends help him understand that Aubrey is special. Dave declares his feelings, and Aubrey agrees to rebuild the relationship before sealing the decision with a kiss.