Copy of New Era – Episode 4: The Echo

Three days later…

The sun peeked through scattered clouds as Mikey and Victor strolled down a sidewalk lined with golden leaves. Students passed them in every direction, the buzz of campus life swirling around. Mikey took a sip from his energy drink—again—and nudged Victor with his elbow.

Mikey: So… Mr. Philosopher. You ever end up calling your friend back?

Victor gave a small smile, hands in his jacket pockets as he walked.

Victor: I did. The same night, actually.

Mikey: And?

Victor: I apologized for how I came across—told him I wasn’t trying to attack him, just trying to help. He was defensive at first, but after a while… he let his guard down. That’s when I saw it.

Mikey: Saw what?

Victor: The cycle. Right there in his eyes. The same pain, same confusion I used to carry. I remembered what my mentor told me during those moments—and I passed it on.

I told him that hurt people hurt people… but healing people can break the cycle. That it starts with choosing to react differently, even when you don’t feel like it. Even when it hurts.

Mikey: (nodding slowly) You really told him that?

Victor: Yeah. I shared a bit about how my mentor helped me—how just being heard without judgment changed my entire outlook. I could see something shift in him, Mikey. Maybe just a little… but it was something.

Mikey: Man… I knew you could do it. I knew it. That’s what I’m talkin’ about! You’re officially on your “counselor arc,” Vik.

Victor laughed, shaking his head.

Victor: I’m not saying I’m ready to write self-help books just yet… but that moment—it felt right. Like I was doing what I was meant to.

They walked a little farther before Victor looked over at Mikey.

Victor: You know… you could probably be a good counselor too.

Mikey immediately burst out laughing, nearly choking on his drink.

Mikey: No no no no no! Me? Counselor? Bro, I’m way too quick to judge. You’ve seen it—I jump to conclusions before someone’s even finished their sentence. I’d mess somebody up more than I’d help ‘em.

Victor smiled knowingly.

Victor: Hm. That’s funny.

Mikey: What?

Victor: That kinda reminds me of something a wise man told me… just a few days ago.

Mikey looked over, raising an eyebrow.

Mikey: Oh yeah? What’d he say?

Victor: He said, “You might not have it all together, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait to become something more. Sometimes God makes us the best version of ourselves when He’s using us for a specific purpose.”

Mikey stopped in his tracks, groaning with a half-smile.

Mikey: Ughhh… I knew that was gonna come back to bite me.

Victor: (grinning) Hey, I’m just quoting a legend.

Mikey: Alright, alright. Maybe I needed to hear that. Still not saying I’m counselor material, but… maybe I could be something. Maybe I already am something.

Victor: Exactly. We both are. And I think we’re just starting to see it.

They continued walking, the weight of the moment balanced by the lightness of friendship. Two imperfect guys, stumbling forward in grace, faith, and purpose—one step at a time.