If you see the boy you like several times a day, just say hi the first time you see him. You can still make eye contact and smile when you bump into him later, though!

For instance, if you run into each other while you’re at a concert, you might say, “Have you heard this band before? I came with my friend, but she says they’re really good. " If you sit next to each other in class, you could chat before the bell rings. For example, you might say, “Hey did you study for the quiz today?”

For instance, if you’re talking about school, instead of saying, “Do you like English class?” you might say, “Who’s your favorite teacher?” If he mentions watching TV, instead of saying “Do you watch The Voice?” you could say, “What kind of stuff do you like to watch?” If he gives you a short answer anyway, try saying something like, “Oh yeah? Why?”

If you discover that you both love This Is Us, for instance, you’ll have something to talk about every time a new episode airs! It’s okay to talk about things you don’t have in common, too! For instance, if he loves hockey but you don’t know anything about it, you can still ask, “Hey, did your team win their game last night?”

For instance, you might text him something like, “Hey! I can’t read what I wrote in my science notes from today’s class! Can you snap me a pic of your notes?” Just keep in mind that it doesn’t necessarily mean that a guy likes you just because he’s texting you. Try to just act natural, as if you’re texting your best friend.

Make sure to balance this with giving him plenty of space, though. It’s probably not a good idea to follow him everywhere he goes—just look for organic opportunities to spend time around each other when you can.

For instance, when you’re first getting to know each other, you might casually mention that you love 80s New Wave music. After you get closer, you could tell him that the reason is because your favorite aunt always plays it when you go over to her house, and it reminds you of her. As you’re getting to know each other better, take the time to make sure your values match up. For instance, if you feel kindness is an important quality in another person, pay attention to the way the guy treats others to make sure you’re comfortable with it.

For instance, if you like hanging out indoors but your crush wants someone who’s super outdoorsy, don’t pretend like you love camping. If you do end up going camping together, he’ll probably be able to tell you’re not into it, and he’ll feel betrayed that you lied.

If you wear makeup, try to keep it light and natural—focus on enhancing the features you like the most. For instance, you use concealer to cover any blemishes, then add a little mascara and gloss to enhance your eyes and lips. Most guys are very visual, so putting effort into your grooming and appearance can make you seem more attractive to him. Guys do tend to respond first to someone’s appearance, although over time, your character and personality will have a bigger part in whether they want to date you.

If you start to feel nervous or insecure, try taking several long, deep breaths to help yourself calm down and feel confident again. Also, when you speak, try to keep your tone calm and relaxed to seem more self-assured.

In addition to showing your crush that you value his time, you’ll also have a better chance of getting to know the real him, since you’ll notice small details you won’t see if you’re busy texting your bestie the whole time he’s talking

For instance, if he says, “I like your bow,” but you’re wearing a headband, don’t roll your eyes and say “It’s a headband! Boys are so dumb!” Instead, smile and say something like, “Oh, my headband? Thanks, this is my favorite color!” Similarly, it’s not okay for a guy to tease you to the point of hurting your feelings. A little light joking is okay, but if you feel like he crosses a line into being unkind, it’s a good idea to spend your time around other people, instead.

For instance, instead of saying, “Gabby did SO BAD on her presentation in Debate Club today,” you might say, “I felt bad for Gabby. You could tell she worked hard on her presentation but it just didn’t go well. " As another example, if you find yourself waiting for the bus, instead of complaining, “The bus is always late—it’s so annoying!” you might say, “That’s cool, it gives us a few more minutes to talk. " This will also help you seem less dramatic. Since a lot of guys really hate drama, this can make you seem more attractive.

For instance, if you have violin lessons every Wednesday, but your crush invites you to hang out, say something like, “Oh I’d love to but I have a lesson that day. Can we hang out Thursday, instead?”

This can be just intriguing enough to catch your crush’s attention and make him wonder what you’re thinking.

For instance, if he leans forward with his elbows on the table, or if he brushes his hair back, you might do the same. Don’t go overboard with this—if you’re obvious enough that he notices, it will probably seem weird to him.

If he pulls away or frowns, it could mean he isn’t into you, or he wants to stay just friends. Give him a little space and see how he reacts. If he smiles or seems comfortable with the touch, it could mean he likes you, although he may just be okay with being physically affectionate with his friends.

For example, you might say, “I thought it was really amazing how you stood up for Steven when he was being bullied. " You could also say, “You always make me feel good about myself when I’m around. I really like that. " It’s okay to compliment his appearance, too, especially if he’s recently changed something. For instance, if you say, “Hey Jeremy, your haircut looks great,” it lets him know that you noticed his new ‘do and you like it!

For instance, you might ask him if he wants to grab a burger with you after school, or you might ask him if he’ll meet you in the library for an hour after school to help you study for your Spanish mid-term.

For instance, you might say, “Hey Josh, I think you’re a really great guy, and I’m really into you. Do you want to go out with me?” If you’re shy, try sending him a text or a note telling him how you feel, instead. [22] X Research source