Be aware that your best friend may view your flirting as you just being nice, so don’t base your judgment of whether or not they like you on just this.

You might ask them, “Do you have a crush on anyone?” when you two are talking about your friends’ crushes or relationships.

Pay attention to how your best friend responds if you give a playful touch. If they seem uncomfortable or pull back, this likely means they’re not interested. [4] X Expert Source JT TranDating Coach Expert Interview. 5 May 2020.

You might compliment your friend by saying, “I love watching you play soccer, you just have so much talent!” or “That shirt really brings out the color in your eyes. ”

Know that the mutual friend might tell your best friend what you talked about, so be clear when you’re talking to your mutual friend if you don’t want them to share your conversation with anyone else.

Practice what you’d like to say in front of a mirror to help you feel more confident if you’re super nervous.

For example, you might choose to talk to them Friday after school so they have the whole weekend to think about their own feelings. Telling them right before school or really quickly in between activities might cause them to feel overwhelmed. Plan to have enough time to not only tell your best friend how you feel, but to allow them time to think and respond if they’d like to.

Talk to your best friend when you’re together on a casual outing, such as at the park or eating a meal.

Instead of having the conversation at a loud and crowded restaurant, think about taking a walk with your best friend and telling them then.

You might say something like, “It’s not easy for me to tell you this, but I’ve had a crush on you for awhile now. ”

After telling your best friend your feelings, you might add, “If you liked me back that would be great, but I want our friendship to be the top priority. ”

Avoid immediately asking your friend how they feel about you or what they’re thinking to give them time to sort through their thoughts.

While you should give your best friend a day or two to process what you’ve told them, continue hanging out and talking with them as you normally would unless they say they need some time to themselves.

Start by planning a romantic date for just the two of you to test out how your new relationship will work.

It’s a good idea to put some distance between yourself and your best friend for a little while after revealing your feelings if you’re feeling especially sad about their decision.

Make arts and crafts, play a sport, read, or write music to help you focus on things you love. If you need to talk about your feelings with someone, ask a family member or other close friend if they wouldn’t mind listening and giving you advice.