A/N: Because once I posted the first chapter, I was beset with ideas. So, one chapter for short drabble situations with our favorite VA and Bloodlines characters and the rules, not just Sydney and Brayden – this is the heads up. I repeat: NOT EVERY DRABBLE IS GOING TO BE SYDNEY-BRAYDEN. So this chapter – The Rules of Breaking Up.

Disclaimer: I own the rules and the plot. Anyone who claims otherwise is lying, see the disclaimer.

1. Don't say their name. Especially if they broke up with you.

Trey settled down onto the bench, across from Sydney, "What's this I hear of Brayden breaking up with you? Tell me he didn't break your heart, otherwise I'll have to break his neck."

Sydney sighed, "Fine, Bray – mmph! " She was cut off by Julia, who had thrown her hand over Sydney's mouth.

Her other hand waved a sheaf of paper across the lunch table, "Remember the Rules, Sydney! We've been over this one!"

Trey lifted an eyebrow, "Rules?"

Julia drew herself up, self-righteous, "Yes. The Rules of Breaking Up. Rule #1."

Sydney sighed, chewing a bite of the barely passable chicken salad, "The Git didn't break my heart. And you'll have to get in line, three older brothers remember?

Trey sighed, "Melbourne, why can't you be like other girls and burst into tears? And then have me and all your brothers gang up and beat the living daylights out of Brayden?"

Sydney ignored him, "How come he can say Bray – mmmmph!"

Julia peered closely at Trey across the table. "Dude, totally breaking the Bro Code. Bros before Hoes? Hear of it? And didn't you introduce them? Low blow dude. Like, groin shot low. But you get kudos for offering to be a gentleman. One might even think you're trying to make a move on Sydney." She frowned, "Which is also against the Bro Code – seriously, find yourself a copy and brush up on it." She faced Sydney, "As for you, he can say the Git's name 'cause he's a guy. And they're friends. Now I have a class to get to. "She grabbed her tray and flounced off. Trey and Sydney stared after her.

"She's completely off the deep end on this one, right?"

"Who knows, Melbourne. Who knows."

2. Trash all personal items or sentimental items - you don't want the memories

Sydney returned to the dorm from a long day of school, ready to simply collapse onto her bed and go straight to sleep. Well, she was up until she found her room's door thrown open and the noises of someone (the less rationale part of her mind claimed something) going through her things. Some of her human self's best survival instincts kicked in: run away, run away! Actually, see what it is first, but prepare to scream. Must be prepared to scream and run away. Sydney grabbed the telescoping rod she had gotten from Dmitri out of her purse – not that she could actually use it, but it made her feel safe – as she crept towards her open door.

What awaited her was a sight that horrified her. Her room, her neat orderly room was a mess. Like, tornado aftermath mess. What horrified her the most was Julia rifling through her sock drawer while Angeline sucked a sucker off to the side. The rationale part of her brain reminded Sydney that neither had the key to her room. A quick glance at the lock showed it had been jimmied open with a credit card. Either that or someone had taken a blowtorch to it. "What exactly are you doing?" She tried hard to keep the incredulity out of her voice.

Julia looked over, "Hey Sydney! I'm trashing everything The Git ever gave you!" She returned to riffling through sheaves of Latin. "Did he give you stuff in Latin? Wowzers, he's officially the lamest boyfriend ever. Unless they're love notes in Latin, cause then he gets props for being romantic in another language. Still, wow."

Silence pervaded the room, punctuated every now and again by the sound of Angeline crunching on the sucker. For once Sydney was completely poleaxed. She turned around and walked out of the war zone. Julia called after her, "Do you mind if I throw out these broken bangle pieces?"

3. Don't worry about staying friends.

Trey sat at his usual spot at the groups lunch table – in the middle of Eddie and Micah, across from some of his football buddies. They began eating, talking about the teachers and the hot girls - until it nearly came to blows when someone joked about wanting to go out with "the uptight Melrose – the one who acts like a librarian, but's probably really naughty on the inside."

Eddie leaned across the table, his body language screaming "watch out", "Which Melrose?" The atmosphere dropped in temperature.

Jimmie, not noticing the change in atmosphere, "Sydney. I bet she – ow! What the h#$^ man?" Greg had punched him hard in the shoulder.

Eddie glowered, "You mean my twin sister Sydney?" The temperature dropped to at least 70 below.

Greg interjected, "Dude, Trey, that chick you went out with that one time? She's totally giving you the stink eye man."

Trey checked over his shoulder. Ah, Leslie. Too stupid to harm a fly, but pretty. She glanced over at him through her too long bangs – maybe she was checking him out? "Man, she's not giving me the stink eye – I think she's checking someone over here out."

This theory was disproven within the next four seconds, as a cup of hot coffee was poured over Trey's head. "What the - ?!"

Leslie, long beach blonde hair swinging, screamed, "That's for playing me for a fool, you berk!" She stormed off, and the rest of the table stared at the steaming, dripping Trey.

Greg spoke first, "Dude, she was totally giving you the stink eye."

4. Time is your enemy. Operate quickly. No dwelling, and no going back.

Jill stared down at the plate of dull brown mash. The cafeteria servers claimed it was supposed to be eggplant parmesan, but it looked like dog food mixed with bread crumbs and cheese. Micah settled onto the bench across from her, leaning across to kiss her. She tilted her head, letting his lips collide with her cheek instead.

Micah looked at her, eyes full of questions. "Hey, you okay Jill?" She felt sick, but she really couldn't keep stringing him along like this. She didn't want to break up with him and break his heart, because he was so clearly into her, but she couldn't keep up the façade much longer. She sighed, then set down the fork she had been using to stir the glop.

"Micah we need to talk." There, the dreaded words. She could see his eyes go wide, he knew and she knew where she was taking this. It was like a band aid – you had to rip it off quickly, or it hurt a lot worse. She had already put it off for a month, it was time. "I'm breaking up with you." There it was out – like pulling out a splinter. It still hurts, but it didn't hurt as bad.

"W-W-Why? Things are going great Jill! You're amazing and beautiful and smart and everything I'm looking for!"

"To be honest, I just feel like you're rushing me. I don't want to feel rushed in a relationship - not now, not ever. I'm just not ready to give you what you want, and I don't know when I will be. So I'm breaking up with you." Jill picked up her tray, sad on the inside and out. Micah opened his mouth. "Micah, please, don't make this drawn out and painful for both of us. I've been unhappy for a while now, and you know it. You just didn't want to think about it. So, I'm leaving." She swept off while two hearts broke on the cafeteria floor.

5. Don't apologize. Ever.

Dmitri watched as Adrian was covered in mud. "You b&%^$! That's what you get for dating my little sister and me at the same time! Pig!" The window slammed shut.

Adrian swore like a sailor, trying to get off as much of the mud as possible. "F&$^%! This was Gucci!"

Dmitri was suddenly glad he had carefully trained himself to have complete control at all times. Otherwise he would have been doubled over, out of breath from laughing so hard. "Adrian, why don't you apologize to both the girls? That would get you out of the proverbial doghouse."

Adrian paused and stared at the guy leaning against the hood of the rental car. "Dude, have you not read the rules? Rule #5, Don't apologize; ever."

Dmitri tilted his head, "Rules?"

Adrian sighed, "Okay. Umm… basically this one says that you shouldn't ask forgiveness cause you've already ruined the relationship and it's not useful to be in a relationship where the trust is already broken."

Dmitri stared, then spoke, "But that never was the case with Rose and me."

Adrian sighed again, fishing out the spare set of clothes from the back seat, "Be prepared, right? Well, think of it this way – Rose never stopped trusting you. And she so there was no need to forgive. Thus, your point is moot." He shook off the mud in his hair, then looked around, "Man, I need a shower."

6. Keep your distance.

The group was walking around downtown Palm Springs, when suddenly Julia grabbed Sydney and pulled her into a grungy tattoo parlor. Everyone followed suit. The heavily tattooed artists and grungy punk goth customers stared at the girls who had entered the shop. Kristin squeaked, "Oh, hi! Um, we're…. browsing! "

The guy with multiple piercings stared then simple stated, "Nice tat," pointing a finger at his face.

Sydney fiddled with her cross, "Thanks." As Kristin pulled Angeline and Jill around trying to make it look like they were prospective customers ("Jill, you want a tat that looks like that weird dragon crest?!") Sydney hissed at Julia, who was investigating industrials and ear cuffs. "Why in the name of all that is good did you drag us in here?!"

Julia held up an ornate ear cuff, examining it and how it would look on her in the mirror on the wall. "Honey, did you not see The Git walking down the street towards us? Don't you remember the rules? "

One of the tattoo artists looked up, hearing the conversation. "Ah, the Rules. Sweet tattoo, doll. Shows some real spine to get your face done, especially the cheek. Joey says you're cool to come in anytime you want, with props like that." She finished stacking the equipment in the sanitizing bins. "While you wait for your d***** bag ex to leave, wanna teach me how to make metallic inks? I figure that you mixed your own." Sydney nodded, while wondering how many people knew the rules.

Jill waved from the counter where the cash register ca-chinged, "Sydney! You should make some gold ink and let me use it for my tattoo!"

7. Lie when necessary.

Lissa was walking the halls of the Court when she ran into Aaron. Christian was off being Christian, and there was nothing more awkward than running into your ex after becoming some more powerful and famous than they were. They stared awkwardly at each other. Lissa's platoon of guards waited in the background, trying to be conspicuous and inconspicuous at the same time, doing it very well.

Aaron swept into a bow, "Queen Vasilissa."

"Aaron Mikaelkov. How are you?"

"Good, and you my lady?"

"Never been better, thank you for asking."

"I will be on my way then, my lady. I wish you a good day." He walked around the group, disappearing into the dark hall.

Rose leaned forward and whispered into Lissa's ear, "You little liar, you." Lissa burst into laughter, and the group proceeded on down the hall.

8. Don't cry. Be Rosie the Riveter.

"Dude, she started crying while you were trying to break up with her?" Micah looked incredulously at Greg. "That's so low. What are you supposed to do in situations like that?" He spit the shell of the sunflower seeds he'd been eating onto the mulch.

Greg shrugged, then took another handful of sunflower seeds. "I know, right? Like, are you supposed to be sorry, even when you're not? Are you supposed to take them back, when you clearly don't want to do so? Or are you supposed to be a douche and just leave them there crying?"

"Dude, who knows? It's not like there's a guidebook to relationships or anything."

Greg brightened considerably, "But there are the Rules!"

"Oh yeah, there are Rules. Good call man!" High fives were exchanged, and then more sunflower seeds were eaten under the sun, until one of the assistant principals yelled at them and chased them for skipping class.

9. Don't respond

"Hey, Sydney, you have a text from Brayden, talking about the break up. What should I do?"

"Jill, just ignore him. It's not like he has anything important to say anyways."

10. Block Him, on all social networking or social interaction sites

"Jill what are you doing on my laptop?"

"Kristin and Julia want me to block The Git on your phone and facebook and email and twitter and just about everything else too."

"Why?"

"I told them about how the Git keeps texting you. And then they cited Rule #10."

"They cited a rule at you. Good God, everyone takes those rules too seriously."

11. Make a clean break of it. At the time, yell, say, curse, whatever you have on your mind or in your heart at that person. It's extremely cathartic and helps sever all ties.

"Julia threw a lamp at the wall." The whisper carried across the silent room.

There was a shuffling as a whole bunch of girls quietly made their way to the wall where Angeline was holding a glass to the wall, listening to the escalating conversation that was occurring on the otherside.

Jill fished out a stethoscope, and listened, "Oh. Oh my. I didn't know you could put together words like that."

Kristin listened, wide-eyed and open mouthed, " I didn't know such things even existed."

Sydney, who was getting the blow-by-blow from Jill and Kristin, looked up from her textbook. "Well, technically, you can't. But wow. Julia can rage. Remind me to never get on her bad side."

A/N: Okay, end "Rules of Breaking Up." Review if you want to, don't if you don't. Um, quick amendment – I own Jimmie and Greg. They are never mentioned in Bloodlines. Yeah, so until next time,