Even though it may feel awkward or embarrassing at times to be noticed for something, people enjoy being complimented. Don’t be afraid to say something nice to him from time to time. Just be genuine with whatever compliments you give. False compliments can greatly damage the trust between you both. Give a mix of compliments based on his physical appearance as well as his personal thoughts. If on a particular day you like the shirt he is wearing, tell him. If he has a great sense of humor and always manages to make you laugh, you should let him know that. In order to move past being just school friends, you are going to have to hang out with him off school grounds. If this is going to be the first time you hang out with him not in a group, aim for activities or locations that you both will enjoy.  If you want a low-pressure, public location, ask him to go hang out in the park or at the mall this weekend. If you want something structured more like a date, ask him to catch a movie or grab dinner at a local diner. If you are too nervous to ask him directly, drop subtle hints that you would like to hang out sometime, or that you are excited to see a movie that you know you both will enjoy. He might just take the bait and ask you to hang out instead. It is important put in the extra effort to be a little flirtatious, otherwise, he may just think of you as a friend. You don’t have to be obnoxious with your flirtations, but just use subtle body language cues to let him know that you are interested in being more than friends.  Making eye contact with someone, especially if you are not used to it, can feel very revealing or intimate. Look at him in the eyes when he is talking to you, or make eye contact with him from across the classroom. If you add a laugh when he says something funny, or a small smile when he looks at you, it will shift the tone of your relationship. Just be casual about doing this, otherwise it might seem like you are staring at him, and it will make him feel uncomfortable.  Respectfully make physical contact with him. This can be something as simple as touching his arm when he makes a joke or tells you something surprising, or it can be something more bold like giving him a hug or ruffling his hair when you wish him good luck on an exam. If you are lucky, you might not be the only one flirting during this courtship. Take a few moments to notice his own body language, and what he might be silently trying to tell you as well. Noticing any of his flirtations might just give you a good confidence boost. Some common signs of him being interested in you would be if he puts his arm around your shoulder or waist, if he glances at your mouth when you are talking, or if his pupils dilate when he first looks at you. Even though it may seem scary or nerve wracking, your feelings will sound more sincere and real if you tell him in person. Messages sent over social media or via text tend to sound flat compared to spoken words. Invite him to a place you two normally hang out at, take a deep breath, and tell him how you feel.  Practice what you want to say to him ahead of time. Try doing this in front of a mirror and keep eye contact with yourself. This will help work out some of the nervous feelings you might have for when you tell him in person. Respect his feelings. If you confess your feelings and he tells you he wants to just remain friends or is not ready for a relationship, you need to respect his feelings. You cannot force someone to like you romantically if they don’t. While it may hurt at first, try and continue your friendship with him. Even though he may not want to be your boyfriend, he can still be a really good lifelong friend if you want him to be.

Summary: Give him genuine compliments. Hang out with him outside of school. Flirt with him casually. Study his body language cues. Tell him how you feel in person.


Make an effort to smile at times when you usually don’t. For example, smile at the bus driver on your morning commute to school or work even if you’re tired. Smiles attract attention, but it's the right kind of attention and can help make the world a more positive place.  Smiling at work or during other professional occasions is not going to make you seem unprofessional. It can actually humanize you and make you appear more approachable so you can communicate with co-workers more effectively. A smile makes you seem "real." It may make you feel more vulnerable, but that means you’re opening yourself up to others, which provides the opportunity for more meaningful connections. Whether it's for a photo or to keep your mother happy when relatives you can't stand visit, smiling on demand can be difficult. That’s usually because you lack a genuine reason for smiling. In these situations, try to remember past reasons for smiling and focus on the techniques that you’ve practiced.  For a photo, smile a little harder than you think you should. That will ensure that your smile is as photogenic as possible. If you prefer to smile with your mouth closed, try placing your tongue on the roof of your mouth. That helps tighten the muscles in your face and neck for a more natural smile. To encourage yourself to smile, it helps to understand the benefits that a smile can bring to your day. You’ll smile more often if you know how it affects the way you feel and interact with others.  Smiling improves your appearance. A person who is smiling is usually thought of as more attractive than someone who is frowning, pouting, or sporting a blank expression. A smile can often say more than words can. If you've hurt someone, made a mistake, or are just in a bad mood, a smile can help others know that you’re apologetic and want to make amends. Smiling creates trust and rapport. It is a simple way to make other people feel more comfortable around you so it’s easier to form a bond and communicate. A smile can make you feel good. Even if you're feeling down, focus on happy thoughts and allow yourself to smile. It can release endorphins that help improve your mood.  Smiling can make other people feel good too. An open-mouthed smile is visible from fairly far away, so it can help put almost anyone whose path you cross at ease.
Summary: Smile when you normally wouldn't. Expect smiling to be difficult in some situations. Enjoy the many benefits of a smile.