Why would someone act standoffish and ignore you when they used to be polite and seemed genuinely happy to see you?

Emilyrich93
Short Back Story:
When I first met him I had an insta-connection/sparks. Whenever we say each other we would always smile at each other and be super genuine. He seemed very shy and nervous and I really liked it.
My gym friends may have told me they thought he was gay. So I told him I liked him as a joke because I thought that maybe he was gay. Eventually we would hang out and it felt like an awkward first date. I had fun but could tell he didn't have a super great time. During this time he said he was straight and I felt like an idiot since I had been trying to not give him the "I like you vibes"/not being myself.

Eventually I wanted more but we weren't at a place in life where it could happen. I'll admit to acting like that clingy crush girl that you don't want to be around. He turned me down kind of... said he didn't have time for a relationship.. which was true and we gave each other space. When we were both in town again he wouldn't give me a genuine smile anymore it was more of a polite half smile and wave. I would wave back.

Now he basically ignores me. I've seen him looking at me, but he doesn't wave or say hi anymore. His one friend also has been trying to slide into my dm's. It really sucks. I don't know whether he liked me to begin with and I ruined it or he never liked me and I misinterpreted everything. A lot of my close girl friends said he liked me and he would always look at me. I just want to be friends, is my best bet to ask him in person when I see him? Even if he seems standoffish? I just want things to go back to the way it was when we first met, but I don't know how?
Why would someone act standoffish and ignore you when they used to be polite and seemed genuinely happy to see you?
5 Opinion