During the course of the novel, David starts to become Melinda's friend as he moves from an object of her admiration to a subject with whom she interacts.
David is initially presented as a stereotypical computer nerd, and Melinda is awed by what she sees as his brilliance or genius. A turning point comes when she sees him question authority and behave according to his own conscience when he disagrees with a teacher. His challenge is through action as much as through words, and she begins to appreciate the power of silence.
As they get to know each other, it becomes clear that David treats women as individuals and does not objectify them. This encourages Melinda's interest in him, even prompting a Valentine card fantasy.
Although David tries to be supportive—and the author leaves open whether they will continue to develop their friendship or perhaps a romance—he is also limited...
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in empathy. He does initially back her decision not to read aloud in class, but the reader wonders if this is just connected to his defiance of the teacher's arbitrary rules. Not knowing how serious her problems are, he assumes that his own path is the right one for her. As he is outspoken, he assumes others should be as well. In this regard, despite his good intentions, advising her to follow his lead does not show him as a good friend.
Melinda describes David as her hero when he stands up for his beliefs in a class where the teacher implies some racist or intolerant ideas. He then compliments her for standing up for her own rights as well when she does not want to share her essay out loud.
David is the one to help Melinda when she faints at the thought of Andy the rapist. Melinda notes throughout the story that he is nice to her, especially on Valentine's Day, when she believes a card is from him.
David encourages Melinda to stand up for herself, and is flirtatious towards her. Both of these things raise Melinda's self-esteem in different ways. In the end, she truly learns to stand up for herself, and learns that the bad things that have happened to her were not her fault.