Bullies Can't Be Pardoned Part 2

"W-What do you mean Aster?" Jack began to shake. Aster's head lowered and he gulped, "I'm sorry Jack… I'm being deployed…" Jack could feel the tears welling up in his eyes, "Don't leave me Aster!" Jack ran to Aster and threw his arms around him, "I need you." Aster stiffened, not being able to turn around and embrace Jack without crying himself. He bit his lip, "I'm sorry…"

Jack pulls away and stares at Aster's back, tears running down his face. Aster runs a hand through his hair and turns around slowly. His heart broke at the sight of his son's face and his own tears threatened to fall. Aster had adopted Jack when the boy was ten and he was now seventeen. In those seven years, he has never seen that look cross Jack's face and he didn't like it. It didn't fit the boy's personality, but duty was duty, and Aster had to obey. "I'm sorry, Jack….but we knew this day would come sooner or later…" Aster looks at him sadly. Jack stares at the ground and asks quietly. "When do you leave?" Aster flinches, knowing Jack wouldn't like the answer. "Tomorrow…"

As Jack thinks things through his head he gets an idea. He perks up and smiles at Aster, "I know what to do!" Aster gets confused, "Huh?" "We just have to make the best of our time together before you leave!" Aster thought about it and smiled, "That's a good idea Jack. So what would you like to do?"

Just as Jack was about to tell his idea, Aster's phone rang. Aster looks at Jack apologetically and answers it. "Hello?...Say what? I thought I was supposed to leave tomorrow!...Oh, alright…Yeah, I'll be there tonight…See you soon." Aster hangs up and glances at Jack. "Sorry, kiddo… change of.." "Forget it…if they need you that badly, just go." Jack's tone was full of sorrow and hint of anger. Aster frowns. "Jack, anything can happen with the military, if they need me right away, then I need to leave. I told you before. We…" "We knew this day was coming, yeah…just go pack." Jack turns around stomps up the stairs. "It's not like we ever have the chance to do anything family oriented anymore anyways." Aster sighs and decides to leave Jack alone for a while. He heads to his own room to pack his things.

A few hours later, Aster was dressed in his uniform and ready to go. He sets his stuff at the front door and heads to Jack's room. He knocks on the door lightly, but never heard an answer. Opening the door quietly, he saw Jack curled up on his bed asleep. Aster tip toes over to the teen and kneels down. He could tell the Jack had been crying. His cheeks were still red and his eyes were puffy. Aster smoothed Jack's bangs away from his face and places a gentle kiss on the teen's forehead. "I love you, son. I'll be home before you know it."

Aster went back downstairs and into the kitchen. He took out a sheet of paper and a pen from a drawer and wrote a note to Jack. He wrote:

Dear Jack,

I know I've already said this but I'm sorry. I really wanted to take some time off to spend with you unfortunately the stupid idiots up here decided to take me away from you. I PROMISE when I get back I will take time off and spend it all with you .I just hope you have enough room in your heart to forgive me. I will miss you dearly my son. I love you, Jack.

Your Father, Aster

As Aster signed his name on the note, a tear slipped from his eye. He put on his hat, got his stuff and walked out the door. As he stepped out the door, Aster couldn't hold back the tears any longer. Even though the tears fell down his cheeks he kept walking. He passed by one of the bullies at Jack's school and lowered his hat so the boy couldn't see his tears but alas the boy saw Aster cry and when he was gone the boy laughed, "Oh this is too good! Jack's old man is a softy! Now I have something to make Jack cry! Hah!"

The next morning, Jack woke up from his alarm clock and missed Aster's voice. He walked into the kitchen and looked on the counter. He saw the note Aster note, picked him up, and read it. When he finished, he felt the tears come again but pushed them back, "I forgive you… I will always forgive you." Jack looked up at the clock and saw that the time was late and if he didn't get out of the house quickly then he would miss the bus. He ran upstairs threw on his clothes, got his book bag, and ran to the bus stop.

By the time Jack had made it to the bus stop, he was gasping for air. Tooth was rubbing his back soothingly while Sandy frowned in concern. Jack finally catches his breath and straightens up. "I'm fine guys.. Thanks…" He flashes them a small smile. Tooth studies Jack closely. "You've been crying, Jack…is something wrong?" Jack's smile falters and he stares at the ground. "…Aster got deployed yesterday afternoon…" Sandy gasps quietly. Tooth tears up and covers her mouth. "Oh Jack…I'm so sorry…" Jack just sighs and shakes his head. "It's alright…it was bound to happen anyway…" The bus soon came, much to Jack's relief. He just wants the day to be over with.

The school day didn't get any better. People around him talked all about the upcoming Christmas and what they were doing with their families which didn't make Jack feel any better. He prepared himself for the worst. The worst being that Aster wouldn't be home for Christmas. As Jack, Tooth, and Sandy entered the classroom a class bully pointed directly at Jack and yelled out for the whole class to hear, "His old man is nothing but a big, fat, softy! I saw him just yesterday walking down the street crying like a baby!" Jack's eyes widened as the whole class erupted into laughter. Jack took a step back and hand over his heart. The bully yelled out again, "I bet you that yesterday when Jack's old man was yelling at the principal, he was staging it to make himself look cool!" Jack could feel the hot tears welling in his eyes. Tooth and Sandy looked back at Jack and saw tears slip down his face. Tooth angrily yelled at the bully, "Stop it! You don't know what he's going through!" The bully paid no attention to Tooth, looked at Jack's face, and laughed. "Hah! His old man isn't just a softy. He is too!" The class laughed even harder at Jack. Jack shook, as the tears fell faster and faster. Tooth and Sandy tried to comfort Jack but before they could say anything Jack ran out of the room.

Jack didn't bother to look where he was going, he just knew he had to get away. He ended up running into his teacher, Mr. North. He looked up at his teacher and when Mr. North saw Jack crying he asked, "Jack, what's wrong?" Jack put his arms around his teacher and stuttered out his words, "T-T-They w-w-were m-m-making f-fun of Dad!" Mr. North looked down at the broken child, "Why were they making fun of him?" "One of t-them saw Aster c-crying and t-they c-called h-him a s-s-softy! Just because h-he didn't want to leave me!" "Why did he leave?" "T-The stupid military called him out on d-deployment." North became filled with anger. "They have no right to say anything of the sort!" North put a hand on Jack's shoulder and Jack looked up at him, "We're going to go fix their heads." North led Jack back to the classroom and the bully started laughing again, "Oh look, now he's told on us!" The class started laughing again. Mr. North felt Jack trying back away and looked up angrily at the bully, "I see no reason why that's so funny. You drove this poor kid to TEARS! He's one of the strongest kids in this class! You know what? I think he has a perfectly good reason to cry." The bully smirked, "Yeah, because his father left him in the dirt!" Jack shook again. Mr. North looked at the children who were laughing and stared them down until they shut up. Mr. North glared at the bully, "The only reason his father left was to ensure the safety and freedom of ALL OF YOU! The reason Mr. Aster was seen crying was because he wanted some time to spend with his son! But can he do that? NO! He has to leave to protect your sorry butts! You know what we give him in return? That's right you all just did it! You all laughed right in his face! He deserves more appreciation than laughter. He deserves a thank you but nobody even recognizes him to tell him that. He doesn't have to protect you but he decided to. All of the people who laughed have detention with me for a week! I don't care if you have plans to go to the shopping mall with your friends! They can wait! Today in class you ALL have to write Mr. Aster a note saying thank you and apologizing for laughing at him." Jack looks at Tooth and Sandy then whispers something into Mr. North's ear. Mr. North looks at Tooth and Sandy, "Thank you for trying to comfort Jack when these IMMATURE children made fun of him. You both are exempt from the punishments I have given the other class members."

Sandy looks at the rest of the class and gives them a look. "Serves you all right…" He says it so quietly, that everyone had to strain their ears to hear him. The class looks at him with their mouths hanging open. Mr. North chuckles and pats Sandy on the shoulder. "You said it Sandy." Jack and Tooth smile. It's been a while since they've heard their friend speak. Sandy looks at Jack and gives him a thumbs up. Jack smiles and hugs him. "Thanks, Sandy…" The two of them, along with Tooth, sit in the back of the classroom and talk quietly, with the exception of Sandy. The rest of the class got busy on their notes with Mr. North making sure they were writing appropriately. Soon, the class was over and every note was collected.

On the way home, Jack sighed as his stomach grumbled. Tooth looks at Jack, "Have you eaten anything today?" Jack's stomach grumbles again, "No." Tooth and Sandy look at Jack in shock. Tooth worriedly asks, "You are going to eat something when you get home right?" "Well, it depends on if Aster left anything for me to eat." "We'll go with you. If you don't have anything to eat then you can stay with one of us!" Sandy smiled and nodded in agreement.

Jack smiles a little. "Thanks guys…you're the best." The bus rolls up to the bus stop and the three of them get off and head to Jack's house. They search through the cabinets and fridge. There was enough food for a while, but Jack didn't want to stay in the house alone. Tooth gasps and bounces on her heels excitedly. "You could come stay with me! My parents shouldn't mind and my little sister really likes you!" Jack holds his hands up and laughs. "Hold up, Tooth. Slow down. I think it might be better if I stayed with Sandy…" Tooth was about to protest, but nods in agreement. "Yeah... I forgot we're remodeling the guest room." She smiles sheepishly. Sandy pats her shoulder and chuckles quietly.

Sandy's parents were delighted to have Jack over and didn't mind helping out Aster when things like this happened. After that days flew by and before they knew it, it was almost time for Christmas! Although everybody seemed happy about it, Jack couldn't help but feel sad. He wanted to spend Christmas with Aster like he always did. By the time Christmas Eve flew around Jack felt alone even though he was still able to stay with Sandy and his family. Jack decided to go to bed early that night rather than staying up late with Sandy to watch Christmas specials.

When morning came everyone was happy as they could be. Everyone except Jack. He missed Aster now more than ever. Sandy tried to cheer Jack up but all he could get from Jack was a small smile and a thank you. As Sandy was opening the last of the presents, there was a knock at the door. Sandy's mom went to the door and opened it, "May I help you?" "Yes, I have a package here for uh, a young man named Jack?" Sandy's mom called Jack to come to the door, "Jack! The mailman brought you some Christmas mail!" Jack was confused and started walking over to the door, "I thought the mailman didn't come on Chri-" He stopped short when he saw who was at the door. His mouth gaped open, "DAD!" Aster put down his bags and opened his arms for a hug and Jack gladly ran into his father's arms, tears of happiness streaming down his face.

Author's Note: Hey you guys! What's up?! We hope you liked our story! We felt a little festive this chapter! Christmas spirit! Woohoo! XD We thought we could help ya'll get more into the Christmas Spirit unless you already are! XD Hope you enjoyed! Also, this is dedicated to all you military families out there! We give a big thank you to all those have or are serving! We would not be where we are today without our brave veterans. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas! :)