I’m interested in dating this one guy in my grade (I’m going to call him J). We’ve been friends for a while now and next school year (we’d both be sophomores) I wouldn’t mind taking it up a notch and start dating.

However, my best friend from middle school (we’ll call her E) has a massive crush on J. Her mental health isn’t the best, and I’m honestly scared she’ll hurt herself if J and I did start dating. Her mom passed away in 7th grade and she’s been very pessimistic and with low self esteem since (that’s why I stopped being friends with her, it was hurting my mental health). She always talks about how much she loves him, and compares herself to Eponine from the musical “Les Miserables”, yet it never shows in her behavior. She always talks over him and about things I know he doesn’t care about.

I love J, wether romantically or platonically I don’t know, but I want him to be happy. Do you think it would be a good idea for him and I to start dating next year, or no because of how it could impact E?