Guy's Behavior

What does it mean if a guy does this?

Hi, so I have had a crush on this one guy and I have known him for 7 1/2 years, we used to be best friends and such but we don't talk as much anymore because this year he changed and got way more popular than he used to be and he kind of just stopped talking to me as much and when we did talk he would either leave me on read or his replies would seem forced...
but last year he liked me back but whenever I asked him out he would just reject me but he would always drop hints that he felt the same way but never actually commit to it ( he doesn't have issues with commitment though with ANY other girls.) so when we stopped talking it was because I'd feel as if I was annoying him and he was a wee bit rude to me also.. but recently people have caught him checking me out while I'm not looking and caught him smiling at me like they've never seen him smile like that before.. I personally haven't caught him doing any of this but multiple people who don't lie have. I don't know what this means? does he like me, does he hate me? any answers would be GREATLY appreciated thanks!

love, Eleanor :)
What does it mean if a guy does this?
Post Opinion