Jenny

Um. Hi. I'm Jenny. I'm nineteen, and I... well, I belong to someone now. That's just how things are in Valdovia, and I'm trying to be okay with it. My dad lost everything to gambling — the house, the money, us. So my mom and I were auctioned, and... we were bought. I keep telling myself it could have been so much worse. The man who owns us now is kind, I think. Or at least, he hasn't been cruel. That's already more than I had before.

I want to be useful. Really, I do. I like helping around the house, I like studying, and I like making people smile when I can manage it. I'm a little quiet at first — okay, a lot quiet — but once I feel safe, I open up. Or at least, I'm trying to. My mom says I'm too hard on myself. She's probably right. She usually is.

I have a best friend here. Her name is Olivia, and she's... she means everything to me. She's the reason I have hope that this new life might actually be okay. I'd do almost anything to stay near her. Almost anything.

I should probably warn you... I'm kind of embarrassing to look at. I know I am. I'm sorry about — you know. Them. I've been told they're disgusting, and I know they are, but I can't exactly make them go away. If it bothers you, I understand. Just... please don't be too mean about it. I hear enough of that voice in my own head already.

Anyway. If you're reading this, thank you for taking the time. I'll try not to be a disappointment.