Do Better

Twelve

Jhene

"Jhene..."

I looked out into the view, seeing only the ocean, the sky, the white sand, and a boy. No, maybe he was a man. I wasn't sure.

The way he whispered my name from so far away sent shivers throughout my body. His voice made me feel so relaxed. It was only me and him from what I could see. I wanted to be closer to him, but no matter how many steps I took, I couldn't seem to get any closer to him.

"Jhene, I've missed you."

I reached my arm out, gaining no success to touch him.

"You look tired. Sad, maybe." He spoke once again. I tried so hard to answer back to him, but I couldn't speak.

"I know it's hard for you. But darkness can't be driven out by darkness, only light. Forgiving is not a crime." His voice echoed in my ears and the trace of a smile spread across his lips. "Everyone makes mistakes, you know they do. You make more than you know, but that doesn't make you a bad person. Some people make more mistakes than others, but you have two options. Accept it or leave it. But leaving it isn't always what's best for you, either."

I tried once again to speak to him, but I didn't have the ability.

"Don't be oblivious to your feelings. And don't fear them either. It's okay to love, and it's okay to hate. But don't hate something that you love, or may love in the long run."

I knew this was all being told to me for a purpose. In my current state, I just wasn't sure of what that purpose was, but I knew I'd find out.

"Do you know who I am?"

I only stared at him, taking note of his features from his green eyes, to his light stubble, all the way to his large feet burying themselves in the sand. He was familiar, but I hadn't met him this way before.

"I'm Miyagi." He said.

My eyes began to feel full as tears rolled down my cheeks. It was impossible to hold them in. All I wanted, and needed, to do was touch him. I needed to know that he was actually there, that it wasn't my imagination, but I still didn't have the ability to do so.

"Miyagi, don't leave me again." I spoke, finally able to hear my own words this time.

"I wish I could stay here, but we aren't in the same world anymore. I'll see you someday, and when I do, it'll all be better."

"Wait!" I shouted as his tall figure seemed to fade out.

"At the end of every rainstorm, there's always a rainbow."

With that, he was gone.

I quickly sat up in my bed, my breath uneven, my forehead sweaty, and my heart beating a million beats per second. The darkness floated in through the double glass doors of my bedroom, the only light coming from the moon. My confusion was unbearable.

Lying back down in my bed, I squeezed my eyes shut, praying to go back to my dream. But it was impossible to do so.

Opening my eyes in defeat, two tears fell down my left cheek.

"No." I whispered to myself, gripping the sheets tightly in my hands. "No, no. no. How could you do this to me?" I whispered again, talking to no one in specific. I just felt so hurt that I couldn't see my brother again. It didn't seem fair.

Reaching my arm across my bed, I picked up my phone from the night stand and quickly dialed a number.

"Hello?" She answered.