⌞ the chain ⌝

⌞ twenty-four : reporters ⌝

"I'll teach you."

_ 

Spielberg. It was rainy. That was the only nice thing I had to say. And even then, it wasn't that nice. I hated the rain. Lando pulled me through the street back to the hotel, trying to keep us from getting completely soaked. 

"I hope it stops raining in time for the race." 

"Says the boy who races well in the rain." I shook my head as we stepped into the hotel. 

The warm air greeted us, along with the rest of the grid. George and Alex waved us over, Lando and I making a beeline to them. I caught Jem's eye and he gave me a nod but I ignored it as I said hi to my friends. 

"I really hope this rain ends." 

"That's what I just said." Lando shook his head as the four of us sat in the lobby chairs. "I hate rain weekends." 

"You race well in the rain." 

"Exactly my words, Georgie." 

We high-fived which earned us an eye roll from Lando. He could be a brat all he wanted but Lando was one of the best drivers on the grid when it came to the rain. I'd watched videos of him racing. Damon made me but it wasn't like I didn't want to. It was a good way to learn how each driver raced if I went back and watched old races. And Lando. Well, it was like the rain was his superpower. The second rain was involved, Lando became a different driver. Everyone else became nervous, taking everything slower. But Lando? He drifted his car like we were in a Fast and Furious movie

"What about you, Lu?" 

"Nuh-uh." I shook my head. "I hate the rain. I would rather run a 5k than race in the rain." 

George snorted. "That's something." 

"Well, think about it. Lu... rain..." 

"Alex, we all know." Lando cut him off. "Lu doesn't like the rain. Move on." 

I flashed a quick smile at Lando. For someone who was always smiles and jokes, the boy was always the first to defend me. We hadn't talked about my past but it wasn't like people didn't know who I was. You did a quick Google search of my name and the article about Jules was the first to pop up. I hoped it changed after my win but that was just a wish. Jules would always be tied to me. 

_ 

"The media is going to go for Jules." 

Damon was prepping me before I went in for media day. I knew that already. I assumed they would. It was raining and it was predicted to rain all weekend. Reporters were there for the story, which involved how I felt about racing in the rain after what happened in Japan. 

"I know." 

"Please." He put his hands on my shoulders. "Please do not say anything snappy. I need you to be as calm as possible about this." 

"Damon, come on. I'm not insane." 

He nodded right as Lando finished. He gave me a good-luck smile as I stepped up for my turn. I had to adjust the mic. He would be taller than me soon but for right now, he was tiny. Very tiny. At least it helped him race. I took a breath, trying to steady myself for the questions. It would be okay. I was brave enough to answer these. 

"Hello, Lula." 

"Hello." 

"The last time we spoke, you said you weren't focusing on winning in Barcelona. And yet, you won. Tell me about that." 

I looked over to Jem who was interviewing only feet away and then back at Lando who was messing around with Alex and George. My statement focused on helping Lando. And I still wanted that. I just needed to press Jem a bit. But I couldn't say that. 

"The race resulted in something that gave me a chance to fight. My focus, and the team's focus, is still on Lando winning this championship. My job is just to help him get there." 

"And with the rain, this weekend? With the passing of the Jules Bianchi, lots of people wonder how you will handle this race." 

There it was. That stupid little question. Damon knew it was coming, I knew it was coming. Everyone knew it was coming. But it still shocked me a bit. I knew at some point that I would come across a rainy weekend. It was something every driver had to deal with. And I knew, for me, that would involve those fears being brought to the surface. 

"It will be a challenge, for sure. But I think it's a good learning experience. I will get on track experience on how to deal with the rain and see how the others perform as well." 

"Are there fears? It was reported that you were at the race where the accident happened." 

I opened my mouth but there were no words that could come out. Of course, I was scared for this weekend. I hated the rain, all it ever did was remind me of that day. But I didn't know how to say that. Or how to say it professionally.

"I didn't realize that reporting had become bullying new drivers." 

Jem was at my side, eyebrow raised as he looked at the reporter. I looked at him, surprise written all over my face but Jem or the reporter didn't seem to notice, as they were locked in a battle of stares. 

"It was a question-" 

"One that needed to be asked? Your job is to report on the races. I do not see how a terrible accident is required to be brought up, especially with a person who was close to the late Jules Bianchi." 

"Lula can answer the question as she sees fit." 

"And that is not answering." Jem turned to me. "Come on, let's go." 

I didn't say anything as he grabbed my hand and pulled us away from the reporters. I was confused as to why he stood up for me. It wasn't something I was expecting. We weren't friends, we were barely civil. And yet, he had come to shut down those stupid questions. For me. 

Once we stopped walking, I took the cup of tea that was put into my hand. Jem gestured to a seat and I took it, still not knowing what to say to him. 

"Apologies about them. They don't know when to stop." 

"I- thank you." 

He shrugged. "Sure." 

"But why?" 

"You looked like a fish out of water. And I think we all knew those rats of reporters would take any chance they could to make you look like you didn't belong." 

I raised an eyebrow. "So why you?" 

"I was there. And I know what it's like to deal with them. We'll get some media training in you before the end of the weekend. That way you can tell them off for yourself." He snorted. "You've got fire in you. Just need to learn how to use it professionally." 

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a/n: a little shorter but slight angst and jem redemption ish. i hope you all are okay with the split. it was getting kinda long and this was the idea from the beginning. so as always, love it or don't :p