Mikey woke up to the sound of his phone ringing. He looked at the screen, and saw that it was his dad calling. He hesitated for a moment, knowing that their last conversation had caused him so much stress. But he eventually answered the call, hoping that things would go better this time.
It didn't take long for Mikey to realize that this was not going to be a positive conversation. His dad told him that he had heard about the recent gang activity in their area, and that he was disappointed that Mikey had been involved. He told Mikey that he needed to focus more on his training, and less on the gang. Mikey felt his heart drop. It seemed like no matter what he did, it was never enough for his dad.
He hung up the phone feeling drained and defeated. Despite the support of his gang and Akkun's spirit, he still felt like he wasn't measuring up. It was then that he pushed himself even harder, determined to prove his worth to his dad.
But eventually, his body gave out. He collapsed again, weaker than ever before. His gang rushed to his side, their overprotective nature on full display as they tended to him. They scolded him for pushing himself too hard, telling him that he needed rest and that his health was more important than his training.
Mikey couldn't help but feel frustrated and stuck. He wanted to please his dad, but he also wanted to support his gang. He felt like he was caught in the middle with no way out.
In the midst of his distress, he saw Akkun's spirit again. He felt ashamed to tell Akkun about his failures and weaknesses, but Akkun spoke to him with kindness and understanding.
"Mikey, it had to be you out there, not me," Akkun said. "I can't change what happened to me, but I know that you have the strength and courage to make a difference in the world. But you also need to take care of yourself. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're not enough."
Mikey felt a sense of clarity and peace fill him. He realized that he didn't have to choose between his gang, his dad, and himself. He could do his best to support them all, but also prioritize his own health and well-being.
As he closed his eyes, grateful for Akkun's wisdom and support, he knew that he could face whatever challenges lay ahead. With the love of his family and his gang, as well as the memory of Akkun in his heart, he would always have the strength to keep moving forward.
