Biosystem Awakening: From Bastard To Badass

Chapter 2

Tristian stood there, his face pale and his lips slightly parted. He wanted to speak, to explain himself, but Lyra didn’t give him the chance. She kept going, her voice loud and echoing across the open space.

“And you know what the craziest part is?” she said, letting out a small, sarcastic laugh. “The craziest part is that the last luxury bag I bought for myself, would take you at least five years to earn the money I spent on it. Five years, Tristian!”

She paused, shaking her head as she stared at him like she couldn’t believe how pathetic he looked to her.

“And now you’re standing here on your knees, proposing to me with a cheap little ring, thinking I’d say yes?” she continued, her voice filled with mockery. Her laugh came again, louder this time, making the crowd whisper even more. “You must be out of your goddamn mind and completely insane if you think I’d ever say yes to this!”

Tristian felt like he might faint right there. His whole body trembled, and he could feel the heat rushing to his face. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, not from Lyra, not from the same girl who once held his hands and promised she would never leave him.

Just three months ago, they had both made a vow to always stay together, no matter what happened. They promised to love each other through everything but now she stood in front of him, saying the complete opposite.

His chest felt unbearably heavy, like something was pressing deep into it. His throat was dry, and when he tried to speak, his voice refused to come out. He looked at her, at the same face he had loved for years but now, that face felt unfamiliar, almost like it belonged to someone else entirely.

He couldn’t understand what had changed or why it had changed so suddenly.

He and Lyra had been in love for years, and everyone around them knew it. They did almost everything together, even the courses they registered for were planned so they could stay in the same classes. They studied together, ate together, walked home together, and even dreamed about the future together. That was the kind of bond they had and now, just like that, everything was falling apart right before his eyes.

Tristian had always been a quiet person. He didn’t talk much and preferred to keep things to himself. He was humble, simple, and never the type to show off or pretend to be something he wasn’t. He came from a small rural town, where life was slow and simple, and everyone knew each other and because of that, he sometimes found it hard to relate to his classmates, most of whom had grown up in the city. They spoke differently, acted differently, and lived completely different lives.

Lyra was one of those city people But she had never made him feel like he didn’t belong at least, not before now. Lyra was everything he wasn’t.

She was beautiful, elegant, and full of life. Her smile could light up an entire room. She loved to talk, to make friends, and to be involved in everything around her. She was also the class president and was respected, admired, and liked by everyone. Both the guys and the girls were drawn to her and many guys had asked her out, hoping to be with her, but she turned them all down and in the end, it was Tristian, the quiet, reserved boy from a small town who somehow won her heart.

She used to tell him she liked how calm he was. She said he was different from all the loud boys who only wanted to show off and said she felt safe with him. Within just a few weeks of becoming friends, they had fallen deeply in love, and it was obvious to everyone around them.

Tristian believed what they had was real, pure, honest and strong. He never imagined that one day, she would be the one asking to end it.

He took a deep breath, trying hard to get himself together.  “Please, Lyra,” he said quietly. “If I’ve done something wrong, just tell me so I can apologize. Tell me what I did, and I’ll fix it. I’ll do anything you want… please. Don’t do this to me.”

Lyra looked at him for a moment before letting out a slow breath, as if she was already tired of the conversation.

“Tristian,” she said, her tone calmer but still distant, “it’s not about you doing something wrong. It’s just… it’s impossible for us to continue. Our future paths aren’t the same. Our plans are completely different, and pretending they match won’t change anything.”

Tristian blinked, confusion filling his face. “Different? What do you mean, Lyra?”

She folded her arms and looked him straight in the eyes.

“Do you really think, with your family’s condition,  you can support the kind of life I want?” she asked, her voice sharpening again. “Do you think you can handle the future I’ve planned for myself? The truth is, you can’t, Tristian.”

“You come from a place with no opportunities, no connections abd no real future,” she continued coldly. “And I’m not about to throw mine away just to struggle with you. I don’t want to be trapped in poverty.”

Tristian’s face went pale instantly. His lips trembled, and he took a small step back as if her words had physically struck him.

“You… you knew about my situation all these years, Lyra,” he said, his voice breaking. “You knew everything, you knew where I came from and  what my family is going through but it was never a problem before. You said you didn’t care about any of that. So why now? Why are you saying this now?”

Lyra rolled her eyes slightly and gave a small, sarcastic smile.

“Maybe you can just say my eyes finally opened,” she replied coldly. “During the last break, I spent time with my friends, and it made me realize how far behind I really am.”

She paused briefly, then continued.

“You wouldn’t believe the kind of life one of them is living with her boyfriend. It’s something you can’t even dream of.”

She let out a dry laugh.

“The apartment they live in? You could never afford it in your lifetime. If I told you how much it costs, you’d probably faint right here. You’ve never even heard of that kind of money before.”

Her eyes scanned him from head to toe, as if she was measuring his worth.

“Even if you work your whole life, from morning till night, you still won’t be able to afford that kind of place. Talk less of the cars they drive, the vacations they take, and the clothes they wear.”

She shook her head.

“That’s the kind of life I want, Tristian and you can’t give me that.”

Tears welled up in Tristian’s eyes as he slowly shook his head. “I promise you, Lyra,  I’ll work hard,” he said, his voice trembling. “I’ll work as hard as I can and make the money. I promise you.”

His heart pounded painfully in his chest, like it was struggling to keep going.

He couldn’t believe this was the same girl he used to talk to every night. The same girl who laughed at his jokes and the same girl who once called him “her everything.”

He remembered how she used to talk about a friend who always bragged about her rich boyfriend and back then, he didn’t take it seriously but now,  it all made sense.

His mind spun in confusion.

When did she change? How did she become this person?

“Work hard?” Lyra repeated, her tone sharp and filled with disdain. “Work hard for how long, Tristian? Ten years? Twenty? Or maybe fifty years before you finally make it?”

She laughed bitterly, folding her arms again.

“Do you really think I’ll waste my youth waiting for you to become rich? You think I’ll still be here when I’m old and wrinkled, hoping you’ll finally afford a house or a decent car?” she scoffed. “No. I’m not that stupid.”

Tristian felt like his chest was collapsing inward. He tried to speak, but his lips only trembled and his throat burned with words he couldn’t force out.

Lyra sighed, as if she had completely lost interest.

“I don’t even know why I’m still talking about this,” she said coldly. “It doesn’t matter anymore. You and I,  we’re over, Tristian.”

She took a step back, creating distance between them.

“I’ve already moved on,” she added. “And you should do the same. I’m with Damon now.” 

Tristian’s heart dropped. His eyes widened in disbelief, and everything inside him went still.

Lyra looked him straight in the eyes, her expression cold and final.

“You’re nobody to me now.”