If he looks away quickly when you make eye contact, this could be an even bigger hint that he likes you but might be feeling shy about it.

If you’re ready to try some playful flirting, glance at him and then away, then look back again with a smile. A guy that likes you will definitely be excited when you’re around, but he might try to hide it. Watch closely but carefully—you don’t want him to catch you staring, either!

If a guy likes you, he’ll try to touch you in friendly, comfortable ways. If anything he does hurts you or makes you feel uncomfortable, tell him to stop or get an adult’s help.

See if he tries to get closer to you or look stronger, like by crossing his arms or standing with his feet shoulder-width apart. Looking at body language can be a great way to see if a guy likes you, especially if he’s more shy and reserved.

He might try to hide his jealousy, but if you look carefully at his body language, you’ll be able to tell that he’s feeling tense or upset. Don’t rely on this strategy too often, especially if you like him back—he might get discouraged and think you’re not interested. Even if you don’t like him that way, try not to play with his feelings by making him jealous.

This is an especially big sign if he doesn’t make these efforts with other people. If he’s treating you a little differently and talks to you more than other people, he probably likes you. Even a shy guy might make more of an effort to talk to you. See if he hovers around your group at lunchtime, or even does something as simple as saying hi in the halls. If someone really likes you, they will make quality time for your relationship. [7] X Expert Source Jan & Jillian YuhasRelationship Coaches & Boundary Specialists Expert Interview. 19 August 2021.

For example, he could say something like, “Why are you so mean to me?” or “You’re such a weirdo!” You should be able to tell by his tone and expression that he just wants your attention, and isn’t actually trying to hurt your feelings. He might also try to tease or flirt with you by starting fake, playful fights, like over a pencil or the last sheet of paper in a stack. His jokes and teasing should always be light-hearted, and you should be able to easily tell that he’s kidding. If it starts to hurt your feelings or make you feel bad, ask him to stop or tell an adult.

For example, you could say something like, “We just got back from skiing yesterday and I’m so tired. ” See if he asks you questions about where you went skiing, how it was, who you went with, or anything else. He might try to act cool by pretending like he doesn’t care, but he might still try to subtly get answers by saying something like, “That’s cool. I heard the snow’s really good this year, right?” If he likes you, he’ll be really emotionally available—this involves inviting you into his life and making you a priority regardless of how busy his schedule is. [11] X Expert Source Jan & Jillian YuhasRelationship Coaches & Boundary Specialists Expert Interview. 19 August 2021.

For example, he might say something like, “Yeah, I’m on the soccer team. We’re pretty good this year…”, then wait for you to ask more questions so he has a chance to brag a little. If he knows you like science, he might say something like, “I went to that natural science museum once. They let me up into the anti-gravity room, and they barely ever open that up to people. ”

For example, he might say something like, “You’re like the star on the swim team, right?” or “I don’t usually like art, but your paintings are pretty cool. ” His compliments might also be more teasing, like, “You got 100% on that math quiz, right? What a nerd…”

For example, he might comment on a picture from your vacation with something like “Take me next time, ok??” He might also send you funny pictures or videos, which shows that he’s thinking of you and things you might like, even when you’re not together.

You could say something like, “Josh keeps looking at me all the time! Can you please just ask if he likes me?” Make sure you tell them exactly how you want them to ask. It could be more subtle, like “Hey, I’ve heard that you like Danielle, is it true?”, or playful, like “You like Jordan, right? Please tell me you do! That would be so cute. ”

Asking him on your own can be scary, but you can also control the conversation and make sure that you don’t have any misunderstandings.

You could say something like, “This is so random, but what would your perfect girlfriend be like?” or “If you could design your perfect guy, what would he be like?” If he tries to evade the question, it could mean that he doesn’t want to describe his ideal type too closely, in case it sounds like you. He could also be shy. In this case, try asking him more directly if he likes you or not.

For example, you could say, “So, I’ve been noticing lately how you’re always hanging out with me and teasing me, and it’s more than you do with anyone else. Maybe this sounds crazy or weird, but I really want to know if you like me or not. ” This can be scary, but it’s the best way to get everything out in the open and figure out once and for all if he’s interested. Be brave and go for it!

You could say something like, “Well, I like you too,” or “That’s really awesome to hear, because I feel the same way. ” If you’re not interested, try saying, “That’s really sweet of you. I think you’re awesome, but I just don’t feel like that about you. ”

For example, you could say, “Oh, OK. That’s fine, I’m not mad or anything. I just really needed to know, you know?” You could change the subject by saying, “I was just thinking it because of that movie that just came out, have you seen it?” If you feel like you need to leave, say something like, “OK, well, thanks for being honest. My mom’s about to pick me up, so I gotta go, but I don’t want this to make things weird between us, OK?” If you like him, it can hurt to know that he doesn’t return your feelings. Be proud of yourself for having the courage to ask him, and remember that your feelings will change eventually, and that his could too.