Only Exception by Paramore

The Isle of the Lost was a dump—cracked pavement, rusted street signs, and an air of desperation that clung to its people like a bad smell. But for Tatiana Scar, it was just another day.

She strolled through the marketplace, gold jewelry clinking softly with every step. Her brown braids, tipped with golden curls, bounced slightly as she moved. Her sharp eyes scanned the crowd, not out of curiosity, but out of habit. You had to stay alert on the Isle—hesitate for a second, and someone would take what was yours.

"Oi, princess," a familiar voice called.

Tatiana smirked before she even turned around. Harry Hook draped an arm over her shoulders, the scent of saltwater and leather lingering on him. His signature hook gleamed as he spun it between his fingers.

"Harry," she greeted, bumping her hip against his. "You look like you just lost a fight with a fish."

"And you look like you robbed a royal treasury," he shot back, flicking one of her golden bracelets.

Tatiana rolled her eyes, but the corner of her lips twitched. Harry was one of the few people she actually tolerated, and the only one who could get away with teasing her.

"Uma's been on my case," Harry mused, tugging at his coat. "Thinks I spend too much time with ya."

"She's got a point," Tatiana smirked. "You are a little obsessed with me."

Harry leaned in, grinning. "Takes one to know one, love."

Tatiana shoved him, laughing, but before he could retaliate, a voice cut through the air.

"Move."

Tatiana's expression darkened as she turned to see Mal standing there, arms crossed, her signature smirk in place.

The two girls locked eyes.

"You've got legs," Tatiana said flatly. "Use them."

Harry let out a low whistle, stepping back slightly, knowing better than to get between them.

Mal raised an eyebrow. "You're blocking my way."

Tatiana tilted her head, feigning confusion. "Oh, is this your street now? Funny, I don't see your name on it."

Mal stepped forward, her voice lowering. "You act tough, Scar, but you're just like the rest of us—stuck here, fighting for scraps."

Tatiana's jaw tightened. "Maybe. But unlike you, I don't have to play leader to feel important."

Mal's eyes flashed, and for a second, Tatiana almost wished she'd take a swing. She was itching for a fight.

Instead, Mal scoffed and brushed past her, muttering, "Not worth it."

Tatiana clenched her fists, exhaling slowly.

Harry clapped a hand on her shoulder, grinning. "One day, you're gonna snap and rip her to shreds."

Tatiana smirked, cracking her knuckles. "One day, I just might."

And knowing the Isle, that day was bound to come sooner rather than later.

Tatiana sat on the edge of a crumbling rooftop, looking out over the dull, gray streets of the Isle. From up here, everything seemed so small—just a mess of broken buildings, desperate thieves, and the constant fight to survive. It was exhausting.

She toyed with one of her gold bracelets, running her fingers over the smooth metal. Her father's symbol—three jagged claw marks—was carved into it, a reminder of who she was. Who she was supposed to be.

A Scar.

She sighed, leaning back against the roof. The Isle wasn't a jungle, but it was still survival of the fittest. And right now, she wasn't sure if she was winning.

"Daydreaming again, love?"

Tatiana didn't have to look to know who it was. She smirked, tilting her head as Harry swung himself onto the rooftop beside her, his hook glinting in the low light.

"More like thinking of ways to get off this miserable rock," she muttered.

Harry flopped down next to her, resting his arms behind his head. "And here I thought you loved it here. The crime, the chaos, the constant threat of someone stabbing you in your sleep."

Tatiana scoffed. "Sounds like paradise."

Harry turned his head to look at her. "You ever wonder what it's like? Outside the Isle?"

She hesitated. "All the time."

It was something she didn't say out loud often. Hoping for something better wasn't a luxury they could afford. But Harry understood—because he felt it too.

He nudged her with his elbow. "If you ever find a way out, don't forget about me, yeah?"

Tatiana snorted. "Please. You'd be lost without me."

Harry grinned. "You are my favorite, after all."

Tatiana rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her chest stayed.

**

The warmth didn't last long.

By the time Tatiana made her way back to the market, her good mood had completely disappeared. She should've known the universe wouldn't let her have one peaceful moment.

Because standing at a stall, arms crossed, looking as smug as ever—was Mal.

Tatiana considered turning around, but the Isle wasn't big enough to avoid her forever.

Mal caught her eye and smirked. "Look who it is. You stalking me now, Scar?"

Tatiana folded her arms. "Please. If I wanted to waste my time, I'd do something more useful—like watch paint dry."

Evie, standing beside Mal, winced. "Okay, let's not do this today—"

"Let her talk," Mal interrupted, stepping closer. "I don't mind watching her embarrass herself."

Tatiana's nails dug into her palms. "You always got something to say, huh?"

Mal tilted her head. "I mean, someone's gotta remind you where you stand."

Tatiana's jaw clenched. She knew exactly what Mal was implying. The daughter of Scar? The kid of a failed villain? In Mal's mind, Tatiana was no threat.

Big mistake.

Tatiana took a step forward, their faces inches apart. "You're real confident for someone who hides behind her little crew."

Mal's smirk faltered for just a second before she covered it with a scoff. "And you're real bold for someone with no crew at all."

The words hit harder than Tatiana wanted to admit.

Harry was her best friend, sure. But when it came down to it, she was alone. No gang, no loyal followers, just herself.

Tatiana forced a smirk. "Keep talking, dragon girl. We'll see who's standing at the end of it."

Mal didn't respond right away. Just held her gaze, something unreadable in her expression. Then, with a small shake of her head, she turned away.

"This is a waste of my time," she muttered.

Tatiana didn't move as she walked off, Evie trailing behind her. It was only when they were gone that she finally unclenched her fists, feeling the sting of her nails digging too hard into her skin.

Harry strolled up beside her, having watched the whole thing. "That looked fun."

Tatiana exhaled sharply. "She's really starting to piss me off."

Harry chuckled, tossing an arm around her shoulders. "Come on, princess. Let's go cause some trouble somewhere else."

Tatiana let herself be pulled along, her mind still racing with Mal's words.

She didn't have a crew.

She was alone.

For now.

But that could always change.

And when it did—Mal would regret underestimating her.