It can feel a lot safer to ask someone out online or through a text message because if you’re rejected, at least they can’t see your face. And it can be easier for them to let you down gently. However, if you’re pretty confident that they like you back, you may feel self-assured enough to ask them face to face.
Because everybody is different, everybody will have different ways of behaving when they like someone. However, some of the more common things include looking at you a lot, finding ways to be near you, possibly showing off a bit when you’re around them. The only definite way to know is for you to ask them.
It’s very normal to feel shy around the opposite sex, although knowing that doesn’t make it easier to behave in a more outgoing way! If we worry too much about getting a girlfriend/boyfriend, then we start to worry too much about what people of the opposite sex think of us and this creates more shyness. If you’re really uncomfortable around boys/girls start by making a few friends with some. You may feel less pressure if you don’t have to worry about whether they like you or not (in that way), or if they are going to try and kiss you! The more time we spend doing something that is uncomfortable, the less uncomfortable it becomes.
Think about how you are going to react before you do anything. You may feel jealous, hurt and betrayed by your friend and rejected and hurt by your crush. These are all really big and painful emotions and you need to sort through them before you do or say anything that might hurt you further. Think about if you want to save your friendship. Is your friend acting in a way to purposely hurt you? Does your friend know about how you feel towards the person they are now dating? If you decide to end the friendship, you should decide how to break up with your friend in a respectful and dignified way.
