Sweet Mistake: Unspoken Love

New Beginnings

Year 2015

Suzette Cortez and her family left the Philippines for a new life in Australia. Her parents, both dedicated nurses, had secured jobs in the healthcare sector, and the family settled in a picturesque suburb known for its good schools and friendly community. Suzette, only twelve years old, was set to begin her academic journey in Year 7, while her older sister Trixie, sixteen, would soon be starting Year 11.

Suzette was exceptionally bright, skipping ahead to Year 8 within her first year of high school. Despite her academic prowess, it was her talent for singing and dancing, as well as her athleticism, that made her stand out. Standing at 5'6" with a perfectly shaped body and a natural beauty, Suzette quickly gained popularity among her peers, though she remained blissfully unaware due to her humble and shy nature.

On her first day of school, Suzette entered the classroom with a mix of excitement and nervousness. She had always been confident in her abilities but starting anew in a foreign country was a daunting experience. As she stood in front of the class, introduced by the teacher as the new transferee, her eyes scanned the room, taking in the curious faces of her new classmates.

"Everyone, this is Suzette Cortez. She just moved here from the Philippines. Let's make her feel welcome," the teacher announced.

"Hi, Suzette!" the class chorused, a mix of genuine and half-hearted greetings filling the air.

That's when she noticed Dillon Murray. Towering at 6'4" with toned muscles honed by years of martial arts, Dillon was hard to miss. He had a friendly yet snobby demeanor, his mischievous eyes twinkling as he chatted animatedly with his friends. His love for anime and running gave him an air of mystery, a stark contrast to Suzette's straightforward and diligent nature.

"Hey, Dillon, did you finish the homework?" one of his friends asked, nudging him playfully.

Dillon smirked, "Nah, I'll just copy yours before class. You know me."

The teacher stepped out of the room briefly, and Dillon's voice, animated and full of laughter, filled the classroom. Suzette's attention was drawn to him, not just because of his height but also the easy way he interacted with everyone around him. He seemed so comfortable, so at ease, something Suzette envied in this new environment.

As their eyes met for a brief moment, Suzette felt a strange flutter in her chest. She quickly looked away, focusing on finding her seat. Little did she know that this brief encounter was the beginning of a long and complicated journey, one that would span years and test the limits of her heart and resolve.

"Hi, I'm Jess," a girl sitting nearby whispered as Suzette took her seat. "Welcome to the class."

"Thanks," Suzette replied with a shy smile. "It's all a bit overwhelming."

"You'll get used to it. And don't worry about Dillon. He may seem snobby, but he's actually a good guy," Jess added with a wink.

Suzette glanced at Dillon again, who was now laughing at something another friend said. "Yeah, he does seem... interesting," she admitted.

As the teacher returned and the lesson began, Suzette couldn't help but steal occasional glances at Dillon. Her first day had only just started, and already her heart was caught in the whirlwind of a new and unexpected crush.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the classroom, Dillon was having a conversation with his friends.

"Did you see the new girl?" Sam, one of Dillon's closest friends, asked. "She's pretty cute."

Dillon glanced over at Suzette, who was now busy taking notes. He had to admit, she was pretty—very pretty, in fact. Her long, dark hair framed a face that was both innocent and captivating.