Flash Fiction Friday Prompt 131: Unbreakable Bonds. 907 words.

'We need to split them up.'

'What?'

'The only way to get Tracy back is to split him up from the rest of his family.'

'Woah, you don't think that's a bit much?'

'A bit much? Randell, we haven't won a single game since Tracy quit to care for them, and the scouts are gonna be there Saturday. The only way we look good is if Tracy makes us look good. And the only way he will consider this is if we create a rift between them.'

'Yeah. Man up, Randell. You need this scholarship just as much as us.'

'Besides, Randell, it's not like you're going to be doing anything. We only need your sister.'

'Mary? What do you want with Mary?'

'We just want her to do one small thing. And she loves you, if you ask, she'll do it.'

'But she's going out with Tracy's younger brother, Virgil.'

'Precisely.'

Scott sighed. Gym before lunch had been brutal. He'd always loved sports of any description, but since his Mom's death sports had taken second place to family. In turn, quitting the baseball team and the track had meant alienating all his friends. They made every gym session a living nightmare, and this one was no exception.

They were plotting. He could tell, but Scott had more important things on his mind. It was lunchtime and he sat at the table, John on one side and Virgil opposite. Next to Virgil sat his girlfriend, Mary. The two were deep into discussing an upcoming concert. Scott smiled warmly at the pair. At least Virgil had been able to maintain a normal enough life. Scott worked hard to ensure that his brothers could have as near to normal enough childhood as possible.

Last lesson of the day over, Scott made for his car. He always finished before John and Virgil, they always had something going on after lessons. Thankfully, since Grandma had moved in a couple of weeks ago he didn't need to rush off, she'd pick up his youngest two brothers.

His peers milled all around him. Scott checked his watch – Virgil shouldn't be too much longer. And then suddenly Mary was there. She was crying as she stopped in front of him.

'Mary? What's wrong?' Mary bit her lip as she looked into Scott's concerned face. Crying was the easy bit, she really was upset about this, but her brother had asked, said it was vital she perform this little charade for him.

'Vi-Virgil split up with me.'

'What?!' Scott reeled. They had been so happy at lunch, what on earth had happened? Mary leant forward, placing her head on his chest and Scott instinctively put his arms around her. She stepped forward into the embrace, crying harder.

'Mary, I'm so sorry,' Scott said, loosening his hug and lifting her face so that she could see him.

It happened so quickly it caught Scott off guard. No sooner had he lifted Mary's face to reassure her that he would talk to Virgil, than two things happened at once.

Mary took that moment to shift her stance and pull Scott down into a kiss.

Virgil appeared.

The timing was perfect. Harris, Randell, Johnson and Miller had front-row seats to the fallout, and as they perched on the hood of Harris' truck, they were grinning as Virgil barrelled his way through to where his eldest brother was kissing his girlfriend.

Virgil, seeing Mary with her arms around Scott and the two kissing, charged through the crowd that seemed to have gathered. He took in Scott pulling away from Mary, he saw the tears. He took in the way his brother was trying to pull away, the shocked look on his face. And he saw Mary's brother and Scott's old teammates sitting on a car, watching.

Scott, appalled at what was happening, immediately pulled away from Mary, freeing his arms and gently pulling hers down. If anything, she was crying harder, and he frowned. He was aware of Virgil approaching.

Despite the people swarming out of school, it felt like it was just the three of them. Mary was sobbing now. Virgil looked thunderous and Scott, he looked worried. The four watchers waited for the fallout, eager to see what Virgil would do to Scott. They were about to be disappointed.

'Scott? What's going on?'

'Virgil, I'm not too sure. Mary said you'd broken up with her.'

'What! No, I haven't. Mary?'

'Wait, Virgil. Let's get in the car and sort this out. Mary's obviously upset.'

'Good idea, Scott.'

In the comfort of the car Mary told the brothers the whole story, how she'd felt like she'd had no choice, how sorry she was. Scott left Virgil comforting her while he got out of the car and over to his former friends.

'You thought you could break me away from my family, and you used your own sister to do it? I can't even begin to say how horrible this all is. Nothing you can say or do could ever, will ever split me from my family. We have an unbreakable bond, and I pity you that you do not.'

The four watched, gobsmacked, as Scott got back into his car and the three waited for John to join them. Virgil and Mary had much to discuss, and Scott was very pleased to see them working through what had happened.