[POV: Rowe]

Where should I even begin? My name is Rowe Hargrave, a student at Havendale High. On the surface, I'm just your average schoolgirl. Well, not really. I wish I was—life would be so much simpler.

You see, I'm an immortal. Every time I die, my body pieces itself back together as if nothing happened. No scars, no wounds, nothing. I also have this ridiculous strength, agility, and these hyper-sharp senses that most people can only dream of. Sounds cool, right? Except for one thing: I still feel pain. Every broken bone, every cut, every death. So, yeah—immortal or not, getting hurt is still a nightmare.

Every time I look in the mirror, I'm reminded of how different I am. How many times have I had to cover up bruises that healed overnight, or come up with excuses for why I never seem to get hurt?

I don't know where these powers came from. The first time I found out was after a car accident when I was young. I was thrown five meters into the air, landed hard, and by the time anyone reached me, I was fine. Not even a scratch. The pain lingered, though—searing, unforgettable—but my body was completely healed. From that day, everything changed.

I was adopted not long after by a couple who turned out to be more than they appeared. They weren't just normal foster parents—they were part of an underground group of vigilantes called The Knaves. They trained me to fight, taught me how to use my powers to protect people. They were so badass, and I grew up thinking I'd always have them by my side.

But two years ago, they vanished without a trace.

They left me a bank account full of money—enough to last me a lifetime—and a letter telling me to stop being a vigilante, to live a "normal" life. Yeah, right. How could I, knowing I could make a real difference out there? Knowing there are people who need saving, and I'm one of the few who can do it?

So, here I am. Alone but still fighting. Piper—my best friend—has been having suspicions. She has no idea about my powers. Hell, even I'd love to sleep in sometimes, cook a normal breakfast without worrying about burning my eggs or getting home covered in bruises after a fight. But this life I've chosen? It's not exactly built for peace and quiet.

I've learned to be independent since The Knaves left, and I'm proud of that. I still have their lessons engraved in me. Even if it means juggling school and secret night runs, I manage. Mostly. And while I'm not as mature as I like to think I am, I get by.

So, yeah, I guess that's it for the first entry of this little journal. I know it's probably dumb to write about my powers in a notebook, but if anyone finds this, they'll probably just think it's some teenager's wild imagination. And maybe that's for the best.

After all, what are the chances that anyone would believe the truth?

[POV: Third-Person]

The cafeteria was its usual chaotic self. Laughter echoed from different tables, trays clattered against metal, and the buzz of a hundred conversations merged into a dull roar. The air smelled faintly of greasy fries and mystery meat, with the occasional waft of something sweet from the dessert line. Piper, as usual, was lost in the latest school gossip, her eyes bright with mischief.

Rowe and Piper sat at their usual spot. Piper, always in the know as a member of the school press, leaned in with her signature grin. She had the sharpest eye for gossip, thanks to her photographic memory.

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"So, apparently, Ms. Warren dumped a student tryi—" Piper's words were cut off by a sudden commotion across the room.

"Oops! Sorry, nerd. Guess you shouldn't have wandered into my safe space," a tall, muscular student named Chad sneered, deliberately dumping a soda cup over the head of a smaller boy wearing glasses. The sticky liquid soaked the boy's hair and shirt, dripping down onto his books. Chad smirked, his eyes gleaming with cruelty. "Yeah, I heard the announcement. You snitched on me, you little b*tch."

The boy's face flushed red with anger, but his voice came out in a quiet mumble. "I'm surprised you can still hear, considering you're braindead."

"What did you just say?!" Chad's voice thundered through the cafeteria, his fist curling at his side.

The boy's heart raced as he quickly backpedaled, panic setting in. "N-nothing, Chad! It was nothing!"

"You think I didn't hear you? You think I'm stupid, don't you?" Chad growled, towering over the boy. He grabbed the front of his collar, lifting him off the ground slightly, his fist raised, ready to strike.

Rowe, her expression instantly darkening, pushed her chair back and stood. She wasn't about to let this happen. She moved to step forward—

"Quit being so cliché, Chad. You're embarrassing yourself," a calm, yet firm voice cut through the tension. Chad paused, his fist still raised, and turned toward the source.

Hyunwoo, a composed student with black hair and a quiet authority about him, stood up from his seat a few tables over. His gaze was sharp, unyielding.

"Hyunwoo..." Chad narrowed his eyes. "This isn't any of your business, so stay out of it."

Hyunwoo didn't flinch. "What if I make it my business?" His tone was steady, laced with quiet defiance.

The two locked eyes for a moment, the tension between them thick. Chad's jaw clenched, but after a beat, he clicked his tongue and shoved the boy away. "Not worth it," he muttered, stalking off with an angry scowl.

As Chad stormed off, a low murmur spread through the cafeteria. Eyes flicked between Hyunwoo and the boy he'd defended, whispers of 'Did you see that?' and 'Hyunwoo's so cool' filled the air.

The boy, still trembling, adjusted his glasses and glanced up at Hyunwoo. "Thank you," he said, his voice shaky.

Hyunwoo's eyes softened only slightly. "Thank me by standing up for yourself next time," he said sternly.

"Give him a break, Hyunwoo. He was up against a guy twice his size," Rowe interjected with a playful smirk as she approached them. Her casual tone contrasted with the intensity that had just filled the room.

"He should learn that the only way to shut them up, is to set them straight" Hyunwoo replied, his voice still stern, but there was an underlying current of concern in it.

"With his twiggy body, what chance does he have?" Rowe's remark was teasing, but it stung, and the boy's face flushed deeper.

"My name's Johnny... Johnny Kidd," he introduced himself, his voice barely above a whisper. His nervousness made it clear that even though the immediate danger had passed, he still wasn't sure if he should be relieved.

"With a name like that, it's almost like your parents wanted you to get bullied," Piper chimed in, her usual sarcastic tone dripping from every word.

Johnny's eyes widened in helpless confusion, unsure whether to laugh or cry at Piper's comment.

Rowe gave him a friendly pat on the back, her grin softening the edge of Piper's jab. "Don't listen to them, Johnny. If Chad comes after you again, just find me. I'll handle him." Her confidence was contagious, and for the first time since the encounter, Johnny's shoulders relaxed a bit.

Piper, never one to miss an opportunity to poke fun, rolled her eyes. "Why do you always have to get involved in other people's messes, Rowe? You've got a hero complex or something?"

Rowe scratched the back of her head, laughing sheepishly. "I just feel bad for the guy. Can't help it."

Johnny, now visibly more at ease, offered a weak smile. "Thanks again... for standing up for me. Both of you." He nodded at Hyunwoo as well, before excusing himself from the awkward trio.

As Johnny disappeared into the crowd, Rowe glanced back at Hyunwoo, raising an eyebrow. "Seems like you enjoy sticking your nose into other people's problems too, huh?"

Hyunwoo gave her a sideways look, his expression unreadable. "Like you're one to talk."

Rowe smirked, and the tension finally broke as the three of them fell into casual banter. Piper rolled her eyes again but joined in, unable to resist the camaraderie despite her constant teasing.

And just like that, life at Havendale High carried on—another day, another drama—but Rowe couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was brewing just beneath the surface.