Shay didn't have much of a family. Her father left when she was young, and her mother died of cancer a while later, leaving her to be raised by an aunt and uncle who loved her as best they could, but resented her for the disruption to their lives and plans she caused.

She started listening to the kind of music that expressed her sense of pain and dislocation, and while she wasn't interested in boys they were sure interested in her, so she adopted black clothing and spiky jewellery as defensive warning signals. Shay's paintings, too, were dark and angry and hurt, but she had more than enough talent to be accepted on a scholarship to the fine arts school of her choice. It was there Shay met Annie, the first person in a long time who made her smile, who got her to lower her guard and feel happy. In return, Shay worked at getting through Annie's shyness, making her realise how hot and smart and awesome she was.

Shay was tall, pale skinned and her dark hair was usually flavoured with a streak of blue and a few other colours as the mood struck her. There were some curves on her slender form, including pert C-cup breasts, not that you could usually tell with her preference for dark, concealing clothing, but since becoming friends with Annie she had started wearing more flattering, even revealing clothing... she couldn't really say why. She had big green eyes and a pierced eyebrow, lip and ears.