-2002-
The general public was a nightmare in Rachel's eyes. All the flashing lights, the inconsiderate questions, the spotlight, the news anchors—it was all a nightmare. But the Umbrellas loved it. Well…not all. Ben didn't. Not when he was typically covered in blood whenever they were in front of the cameras. But Luther, Diego, Allison, Klaus, and Five enjoyed it. Allison in particular thrived on it.
Rachel bit her lip as she read the newspaper in her hand. Similar words ran across the lips of news anchors from yesterday's burning building rescue. It didn't matter that the words were untrue, coming from outsiders who did not understand the Umbrella Academy's structure. Outsiders who didn't see a person behind the powers. With their rising fame came intense scrutiny, but without the consideration that they were all just thirteen years old.
"UMBRELLA ACADEMY RANKINGS: THE BEST AND WORST MEMBERS!"
The paper's rankings truly stirred up trouble at the Umbrella Academy. The rankings listed the following order:
"7. Emotional Girl, 6. Random Boy, 5. Knife Boy, 4. Rumor Girl, 3. Tentacle Boy, 2. Teleport Boy, 1. Strong Boy"
With each came a description as to why each was placed in their ranking. Klaus was basking in the idea that "Random" meant he had potential. The press was just waiting for him to show what he could do. Diego was enraged, Allison less so but not thrilled. While Ben couldn't have cared less, Five and Luther were pleased. Though, Five pushed an argument on Luther about how he was really the number one, since he was smarter and all. Rachel slipped out with the paper to privately read her blurb before anyone could take notice. She sat staring at the page for at least five minutes before mustering up the courage to read.
"What purpose does sensing someone's emotions serve? This girl can't even fight. She is a disaster waiting to happen. One day, while rescuing someone, she is simply going to get killed. Would the team suffer? Not on my estimation. She is useless to the team. Instead of carrying around deadweight, the team should strongly consider-"
Rachel jumped as the newspaper was yanked out of her hands without warning. She was so emotionally invested in the piece, but her powers could never help her when one particular person enjoyed appearing out of thin air.
"You know this is media garbage, don't you?"
Five folded the newspaper length-wise, smacking it against his hand.
"You weren't saying that while claiming to be better than Luther."
With a cocky grin, Five sat on the bench and pointed the newspaper at her.
"I just like teasing him since he's so slow. Even I know none of this matters. Even if this wasn't one of the lowest tiers of journalism, the media is too stupid to understand how we work. None of them have powers or save people's lives."
Rachel looked at him for a moment before trying to snatch the newspaper from him. He wasn't expecting her reach and lost his grip. She ran toward the other end of the yard, attempting to get away from him and unfurl the newspaper. Instead, she let out a soft cry as she ran straight into Five as he reappeared in front of her. After trapping her, he quickly spun her around while he had her, yanking the newspaper away and tossing it into a wet puddle.
"Oops."
"Five!"
Rachel knelt down and grabbed at the soggy newspaper. It fell apart in her hands. The boy let out a laugh.
"And that's how you know that it's also cheap garbage."
The girl dropped it back on the ground and rubbed her wet hands on her skirt. She looked up at Five.
"Tell me the rest of what it said. What did they say the team should strongly consider?"
"I really couldn't say."
"You're a liar. You retain almost everything you read."
"What it says doesn't matter-"
"IT MATTERS TO ME!"
Five took a step back from the force of her outburst. It was almost like getting slapped in the face. Tears were forming in the girl's eyes.
"Tell me why I'm useless. I don't care if it is media garbage. I want to know what they are saying about me."
The two stared at a stand-off. Five thinking, her waiting. Finally, the boy swallowed and glanced around him. He felt compelled by her demeanor to be honest.
"In so many words…we should leave you at home like the mysterious girl who has been seen with Dad."
Rachel nodded.
"So, basically watch from afar like Vanya."
Looking down at her shoes, she wiped away more tears that came to her eyes. With a half growl, half sigh, Five stepped on the newspaper, rubbing it deeper into the mud.
"What is it with you and feeling like you're a problem to this team? Since we talked the last time you got kidnapped, you got so much harder to fight. You worked for that and somehow one word from the news makes you lose every ounce of confidence you built up. How dare you make my pep talks useless!"
Rachel shrunk away from Five a bit as he began to boil with annoyance.
"And hey, that fire yesterday? We wouldn't have saved everyone if you hadn't been able to tell us where all the people inside were located. The media treats people in the spotlight like dirt. They don't treat us like we're real, breathing individuals. For some of us, that's fine, but for you and Ben…people who care…it's not. Hell, all of us should be treated with respect anyway. But that isn't the point… We know your worth. Every single one of us, Rachel. I mean, yeah, your power is goddamn annoying, but it's not useless. You are not useless to this team. And doesn't what we know about you matter more than what reporters are too stupid to notice? If the newspapers ever come to understand what you can do, they'd have to shove their words so deep down their throats it would come out their ass."
He had plenty more to say, but his words cut off as he registered that Rachel was shuddering, struggling for breath.
"Ah, shit."
Reaching out, he went to grab both of her elbows. Rachel struggled away from him.
"Hey, I wasn't mad at you, necessarily. Will you let me help you?"
He tried again, this time with success. Leaning his head down so she was forced to look at him, he raised his eyebrows.
"Count with me, okay? One."
"O…o…one."
"Two."
"T-T…two."
She violently shuddered cutting off the counting, trying to catch her breath. Five's hands moved to her upper arms and squeezed. The feeling would hopefully distract her as much as counting.
"Come on. Allison is number?"
Breathy air was let out before a quiet three. Then a four and five and on. As her breathing evened out, Rachel stepped forward and hugged Five, feeling fatigued. His fists balled at the contact initially, but after a moment just let it be and patted her back.
"I didn't mean to make you anxious. Sorry…"
"It's okay…"
Five's hands went still as he stood there awkwardly holding her. Clearing his throat, he let out a small snicker.
"I did it again, huh? I really need to stop comforting you."
Rachel laughed and looked up at Five with a smile. She frowned slightly as she watched him freeze up suddenly. A soft feeling was reaching out to her from him. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Before she could ask him if he was okay or focus on the emotion, she turned toward the door to the Academy.
"Oh, the others are coming. Anyway, thanks for- Woah! Hey!"
She found herself rapidly shoved away from Five. She almost stumbled but managed to keep standing.
"Five?!"
"Well, you're fine now, right? So, enjoy the loudmouths. I'm out of here."
"Fi-"
He was gone. Rachel looked around her in surprise.
"Why can't he just admit we're friends? Jesus…" she muttered, turning toward the back door to the building as Luther led the siblings with him outside.