i don’t know how or why but i’ve fallen for my best friend. he’s 17 and his name is nate (i’m 16) and i’ve known him since i was 7. i don’t know what to do because he treats me like an absolute princess but i don’t know if he feels the same way as me, and i know that if i tell him how i feel and he doesn’t feel the same then it will just be weird between us.

for about a year and four months (yes i keep track) we’ve been much closer in the sense that he’s like an older brother to me while also being like a boyfriend. i mean that at school he’ll come see me at each break (we aren’t even in the same grade), he’ll come to my locker and put his arms around either my waist or shoulders (he’s 6’2 and i’m 5’5), he’ll offer to take me out, but also also protect me and be my shoulder to cry on. i’m so lost and confused because i’m not sure how he feels because some signs make me feel like he has feelings for me while others make me feel like he’s basically my brother.

i’ve never had a boyfriend before so i don’t know, but whenever i’m with him i get butterflies and i feel like nothing can hurt me because i know he’ll protect me. a few people have told me that he looks at me like he’s in love with me but i don’t know, the way he treats me just seems normal for us. where we live i have prom//formal this year and he’s asked multiple times who i’m going with and what i’m wearing but i don’t know if he’s just curious or would like to go with me. he is popular at school (in the popular group) and a lot of girls show interest in him which really hurts me.

i just need some advice on what to do? (sorry for long post)