Preface (The Number System)

Serendipity's name means luck, a fitting name for a girl who is a prospective Ten. In her world, everyone is placed somewhere on a scale of One to Nine based on their appearance. Only a very rare handful of people are chosen by the supreme Council to embody the perfect human specimen: a Ten. Serendipity has been in training for her entire life in the hopes that someday she will fill that illustrious role. However, as the date for the Council's decision draws closer, Serendipity begins to realize just how much power is in a numerical label and just how ugly beauty can be.