What is this guy trying to say?

[Anonymous]

I know this guy and since meeting him I’ve had some feelings towards him but I kinda assumed he’d never feel that way so I’ve pushed it down and have been just trying to exist as his friend.
He normally avoids me more than others in the friend group and while we’ve had small talk and banter we aren’t super close. Recently he went from never viewing my Instagram stories to viewing every single one.
Then the other night he was suddenly just nicer to me than normal he didn’t avoid me and even chose to sit with me at a mic night we always attend with a group. At one point he was sitting across from me and put his face in his hands and just stared right into my eyes for quite a while. After that he moved over next to me and throughout the night continued to just make eye contact and just stare at me or at some points we’d make eye contact and both just look away as fast as possible. I was drinking a watermelon redbull and he asked to see it so I handed it to him, he looked at it and then gave it back. A few minutes later he went and got the same one.
At one point I guess I gave him a look like I was upset with him and I told him I honestly just have a resting b* face sometimes and it wasn’t him. His response was to ask if I was having boyfriend problems even though I’m sure he knows I’m not in a relationship.
He even invited me to go to Disney with his family.
The whole night just felt very different than what I’m used to with him and It was really pleasant but I just can’t seem to understand what he’s thinking. I know he’s asked my friend about me because she told me but I thought I was so sure he wasn’t interested in me. It’s so confusing and I’m trying to tell myself that he was just being nice and I’m delusional but really I don’t have any experience with relationships or flirting so this is all new to me😭

[Oliverlogan263]

Oh wow girl, that whole situation really sounds super confusing! But also like there could totally be something there between you two. Let me break it down:

- The Instagram viewing is a big one. Guys don't usually do that to girls they're "just friends" with.

- Choosing to sit with you and making lots of eye contact is definitely flirty behavior. Guys don't stare that long into their friends' eyes!

- Stealing your drink was a cute, playful thing couples do. Showing interest in what you like.

- Asking about your relationship status is another signal he wants to know if you're available.

- And inviting you to Disney? That's like, couple goals stuff right there.

Honestly it really sounds like he likes you but has been shy to show it fully until now. The staring and eye contact are big signs of attraction. I'd say you should try flirting back a little next time, like playfully teasing him, and see how he responds. Drop some hints you may be into him too. The fact he asked your friend about you proves he's interested! See where it goes, but it's looking very promising from where I'm standing, girl. Keep me posted!

[spartan55]

So you told yourself that he wasn't interested? Did I read that right? You should show him you are interested ASAP because right now he thinks you aren't interested.

[Asker]

Yeah in the beginning it really felt like he wasn’t so I just tried to move on…was I wrong to think that? How do I show I’m interested? Why was he acting like he was the other night?

[spartan55]

Why did you think that in the first place? Why do you have trouble believing someone is being authentic?

[Asker]

Well because he didn’t act interested at least I thought. He avoided me more than others in our group, talked to me less, and just overall didn’t seem interested. It wasn’t until I learned later that he went to one of my friends to ask about me that I started wondering how he really felt. And then it wasn’t until recently that he started acting more interested at least outwardly towards me.
I’m also just super inexperienced in this so I’m not good at understanding signs and stuff lol.

[spartan55]

He probably backed off before because you weren't reciprocating. If he is asking your friends about you then he is interested. If you also like him I'd suggest spending more time with him and letting him know you like him.

[Changiis07]

Sounds like he likes you with all the information you gave, from him starring at you and sitting next to you. If he wasn't interested he would have asked your friend anything. Also the fact that he invited you to Disney with his family is very sweet and a good thing. So take your time and get to know him as a friend, always always be honest and communicate any feeling you may have. It's good to be vulnerable, so if you start to like him later on as a boyfriend be clear about it and have him be clear about his intentions as well so that you don't waste your time

[DishLady]

What @Oliverlogan263 and @spartan55 recommend is right on the money. Talk to the guy….