Jaestie grew up in the city of Dead End with her older sister and parents. Called Jae Jae by her friends, Jaestie chaffed at her parents attempt to mold her after her "A" student, now doctor, sister Elizabeth. They wanted to her to go into medicine also, but she had no interest and little interest in school.

Jae developed a rebelious streak and skipped school more often than she attended. She spent her time loitering on the streets of the city with her friends, most of whom were much older than her and gang members. Frustrated, her influential parents had her sent to a strict private school, where she was forced to attend class daily, and was beat whenever she misbehaved. When she finally turned 18, and could legally make her own choices, she left the school, even though she had not yet graduated. She returned to Dead End, where her parents promptly kicked her out and cut her off.

Her sister helped her out a little, until their parents found out, and she get a job as a dancer at Club Marcello, where she was allowed to sleep in the VIP room after the club closed. She eventually decided that there was little chance for her in DE, and hitchhiked south, ending up in Hathian.