Chapter 6: Prioritising

It was late.

Numbuh 8 leaned against the wooden railing of the outdoor terrace. She had been outside for a while now, feeling the light breeze, the young girl usually found comfort by the breaths of nature. However, this, wasn't the case. Having watched TV and played games all day, Numbuhs 2, 3, 4 and 5 were already fast asleep. Numbuh 8 would have slept too but the absence of Sector V's leader bothered her.

"Numbuh 5's sure he's fine," is what Numbuh 5 had expressed. Numbuh 2 had backed her up on this, "Ya, I'm sure he's just on a date with Lizzie. It's no… biggie. Get it?" The chubby kid had burst into laughter while the others had groaned and face palmed at his failed attempt to make a joke.

She breathed in the cool, crisp air. At first, she seemed to relax but then suddenly, it hit her. Her face scrunched up in annoyance, hands shot to her head pulling her hair. No matter how hard she tried, watching TV, playing games, nothing could take her mind off the series of events that had happened earlier on in the day. The girl scolded herself. It wasn't the first time, where she found herself in this dilemma. Despite her frustrations at Numbuh 1, she couldn't help but feel worried by the fact that he hadn't returned to the treehouse as well.

The Russian operative was bothered and she had a gut feeling that she just couldn't shake off.

Was she too stubborn? Was she too paranoid? Or was it a case that she just felt this way because she cared too much? Whichever one it was, the result was the same.

Bang.The sound of a door slamming. Speak of the devil. The source of her concerns; Numbuh 1 had finally returned.

He too, mind filled with his own worries, needed time to think things through. Tired, he slumped onto one of the sofas in the briefing room. Lying down, he placed and arm over his eyes. In an attempt to clear his mind, he had walked for hours but to no avail.

"So, where have you been all this time?" A cold can pressed against his face. He took it, but then placed the can on the floor and looked up to see Numbuh 8 with a can of soda in hand. Her face was expressionless. She opened the can and took a sip. He bit his lip.

There was silence.

With her free hand, she rubbed the space between her eyes. She tried again, "What's on your mind Numbuh 1?"

Silence again.

Numbuh 8 sat down next to Numbuh 1, leaning forwards, she spoke again, "You do realise I'm not going to leave until you tell me at least one of the things that's bothering you."

The response was the same.

Numbuh 8 groaned and slouched back, her head hanging, white hair flowing with it.

His voice echoed in the room as he spoke, "There are many things." She turned her head towards Numbuh 1, arm still covering his face. He finally spoke. "Then start with one and let's go from there." She responded. He swung himself upright, picking up the can of soda as he did so and popped it open. The sweet, sweet taste of soda comforted him. "Sometimes it's difficult, you know, trying to please everyone." He breathed. "How are you supposed to be able to decide who to take care of and make happy first? How are you supposed to choose one person over another?" He blurted out.

Numbuh 8's face soften, this kid. She thought to herself. He had always put others over himself. That side of him hasn't changed one bit.

"Sometimes it's not a case of choosing between one person or another," she said aloud, "Sometimes it's a case of knowing when to choose yourself over anyone else." Numbuh 1 looked at her, eyebrow raised. "It's sad trying to see someone try to help or please others when they're being broken in the attempt to make others happy."

Numbuh 1 turned to look at Numbuh 8, her head still leaned back. "Some might say that, that's selfish but the ones that know, will call it prioritising." She stared at the ceiling, as if there was something there, telling her what to say. "If you don't know how to care for yourself, how will you know how to care for others? You'll try and you'll keep trying to help others, but if you don't help yourself first:- You won't be able to help anyone."

She continued, "So, why don't you try looking out for yourself first."

He paused, analysing and taking in what Numbuh 8 was saying to him. It's not that it didn't make sense to him. It just was not something that he of all people could do. Maybe it was the years of being the leader, it only felt normal to watch out for everyone else first.

"On top of that," Numbuh 1 looked Numbuh 8 who brought her head back up. Although Numbuh 1 wore sunglasses, those bright, round emerald orbs of Numbuh 8 really hit him. It was as if her eyes could look passed the dark pieces of glass, locking on to a target, her gaze piercing into his. It was as if she was looking into his soul. He shivered. "As much as you want to. It's impossible to make everyone happy."

He looked at her, pondering. "It's like…" she placed a hand to her chin, smiling and nodding to herself at the idea in her head. "It's like taking all the ice cream we want from Numbuh 48 Flavours! It might make us happy, but it sure as heck doesn't make him happy. Or when we call Numbuh 85 by her real name." The Russian girl scrunched up her face, "Don't call me that!" Attempting to imitate Numbuh 85's reaction when being called Fanny.

Numbuh 1 laughed, "I'll keep that in mind Numbuh 8."

She pulled a soft smile at Numbuh 1 and lifted her soda towards him. "Cheers."

"Cheers." They clinked their sodas, downing it in one. "You're the same as you've always been Nigel. That's for sure." His heart sank slightly.

She snickered slightly under her breath as she got up. Numbuh 1 watched as she turned to the bin which was placed at the corner of the room. Numbuh 8 bent her knees and whispered, "She shoots." A slight jump. The can left her hands, now soaring through the air. Swoosh. "And she scores. Yeaaaaaa." Shaking her head and punching the air at the same time. She looked at Numbuh 1, sticking her tongue out. "You try it."

Numbuh 1 shook his head as he got up. He was about to lob the can until Numbuh 8 stopped him. "No, no, no. You got to do it like this Numbuh 1." She went behind him and grabbed his arms. He jumped slightly but she proceeded to adjust his arms. "Bend your knees," he raised an eyebrow and turned to look at her. "Just try it." She egged him on. He didn't understand why he followed her but did as he was instructed. He bent his knees. Her hands guided him to take the shot.

Dizzy. He could feel her breath on his neck. He threw the can. "He shoots." She whispered, her breath caressing his neck. Clank. His can had landed straight into the bin. "He scores! Aw yeaaaa. A beautiful 3 pointer from Numbuh 1 of Team Sector V." She let go of him and started punching the air as she did before. "And Sector V wins the game for the Elementary NBA league!"

He let out a breath, his cheeks were red. "Nigel." He looked up at her. Numbuh 8 gave him a peace sign. "Remember, you're you. You can do whatever you want. Be whoever you want to be, if that's what you choose. Be happy and don't think too much." She walked passed him to return to her room, they probably could have talked more but Numbuh 8 knew that it was late. They had a whole new day ahead of them, school and many other things. It was important that they got rest. "And remember, prioritise."

She was about to leave the briefing room, "Numbuh 8. Before you go, I wanted to tell you. I'm sorry." She stopped. "About today with Lizzie and all." Yes, he wanted to apologise to her for Lizzie's behaviour but there was a huge part of him that was wanted to apologise to her for not remembering her. He wanted to say something about it but for the life of him, he couldn't. He didn't know how.

He bit his tongue.

Numbuh 8 turned around and smiled at Numbuh 1, "I appreciate it." Numbuh 8 had other thoughts in her head. The main one being something along the lines of; it should be her saying sorry, not you. But she didn't want to talk about Lizzie. She turned back. "And thank you, for cheering me up."

She walked off. Without thinking, she said, "It's what I do.". And with that she left the room.

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