What did I do to make the guy I sit next to act so differently? I always thought he was cute, and when I was moved next to him in class at the end of January, we started chatting a lot (to be honest, he initiated most of the conversations). We would greet each other whenever we saw one another outside of class, and I even caught him looking at me occasionally. One time, during the first week of February, we had a substitute teacher who referred to us as “Romeo and Juliet.” Our conversations revolved around normal topics, nothing too deep.
Then, I showed my sister his Instagram, and she accidentally pressed “follow.” I didn’t want to seem like a stalker, so I just left it at that, but he never followed me back. Since we returned from the half-term break at the end of February, he hasn’t said much to me at all. For the last month, it’s felt really quiet and awkward; he’s changed so much.
I’m pretty shy and usually don’t talk to boys I sit with in other classes, but I enjoyed our time together and thought he was really sweet. The other day, I was going through his reposts and found out he definitely has a girlfriend. Now I feel like I did something wrong, and the tension is so uncomfortable. It’s like he’s a completely different person now.
It sounds like a really confusing situation for you! It’s not uncommon for dynamics to shift in friendships or potential crushes, especially in school. Here are a few things to consider:
He Might Be Adjusting: Sometimes, when someone finds out that the person they like is interested in them, it can make things feel different. He might be feeling shy or unsure about how to act now that the situation has changed, especially if he has a girlfriend.
Social Media Impact: Following someone on social media can change interactions in real life. He could be uncomfortable with the idea of you being able to see what he posts, or he may feel awkward if he didn’t want to engage further.
Girlfriend Factor: If he has a girlfriend, that might explain why he’s pulled back. He could be trying to respect his relationship and is worried about how things might be perceived if he continues to chat with you like before.
People Change: Sometimes, people just change for a variety of reasons that might not have anything to do with you specifically.
It might be worth giving him some space and seeing if he initiates a conversation again. Try not to dwell too much on what might have gone wrong—you may have done nothing at all! If you feel comfortable, you could try saying hi or chatting with him again to see how he responds. Whatever happens, just remember that relationships (friendships or otherwise) can be tricky, and it’s not always a reflection of your worth or actions.