In Taylor Swift's “august” story, the teenage boy loved by the narrator is James.
The song presents a brief summer romance from the perspective of a young woman who becomes emotionally invested in James. He is already connected to Betty, and the relationship ultimately ends when he returns to his former lover.
James is one point in the fictional love triangle running through three Folklore songs. “august” represents the unnamed girl's perspective, “Cardigan” centers on Betty, and “Betty” tells James's side.
The narrator is sometimes called Augustine or Augusta by fans and by Swift when discussing the character, but the song itself does not name her directly. James, Betty, and the narrator are fictional figures created for the album's storytelling.