Ever had a really good friend that you are so comfortable with, you eat ice cream together and don’t care if it drips down your shirt. They have held up your hair so you could throw up after a night of bad decisions. They have seen you so sick that you look like something the cat won’t even be bothered with. They are your good friend. Your best friend. And then you go ahead and ruin this good thing by falling for them.
So what now?!
Understand what you’re feeling
First things first. Think about how you really feel about this person. You’re already friends and must care about him/her but you should think deeply and find out if your crush could just be a transient thing. Perhaps they embody an idea of the partner that you have in your head. Sometimes, it might just be plain ol’ jealousy because this best friend is getting a lot of attention from the opposite sex.
Understand the consequences
I hate to sound like Yoda in a Star Wars scene, but you should weigh the possibilities of what will happen from now on. It can go two ways. You either end up in a relationship with the person (which is what you want right?) or you find out he/she doesn’t feel the same way. Either way, you have added something to the friendship that wasn’t there before. Even if you end up together, it is no longer the platonic “best buddy” friendship you once had. It is deeper and comes with more responsibility.
If you find out the other person does not have the same feelings towards you, it could introduce major awkwardness. And depends on how the two of you are, you could work through it and move on, or it could alter your friendship.
Look for hints!
Us girls can give Sherlock Holmes a run for his money in the detective department. Here’s a good time to use those skills. Pay close attention now and see if he may be feeling the same thing that you are. Who knows? Maybe he has been in this mixed crush/best friend rut longer than you even have been.
Tell him
*Gasps* Yes, I said it. I’m a big advocate in letting your feelings out. You really should consider telling him especially if you have tried to suppress the feelings and they just won’t go away. Also, be prepared for whatever reaction or answer you get.
Don’t be mad at the person, give him time. Remember, you just shocked him with a question or statement he most likely thought he would never hear.
Learn to move forward
Most importantly, guard your heart/protect your peace. Love yourself and realize that whether this turns into something or not, you don’t have yourself to blame for it.
If it works out, good for you both! You get to live happily ever after…hopefully.
If it does not, you know you gave it a shot. Give yourselves some space, try to work past the awkwardness and make your friendship even better.