Help needed ASAP!

So this boy from my school has been texting me and flirting with me over the past couple of days and I think I might like him. He is known at my school for treating girls badly and not being nice towards them but I naturally want to assume the best of him and he is very nice to me and makes me laugh. We have talked at school before so that's not a problem. My best friend and my ex (who I am friends with) hv both said not to get involved with him because they are looking out for me but I do like him and I'm unsure what to do . I want to hang out with him but don't want my friends thinking I am abandoning them also my best friend has a boyfriend and nobody has a problem with him. I do like this boy but do I listen to my friends and end the thing we have between us or do I see where it goes and potentially get hurt in the process ?