Well, the truth is you don’t. No matter what they do, no matter how much you overanalyse your interactions, you cannot predict or assume someone’s emotions. Even if you could, it would be unfair of you to do that for them; dictate their innermost thoughts for them.
Consider this for example.
Boy likes Girl – or seems to at least. Girl doesn’t even know he exists before he initiates a personal interaction right in the middle of the road a day after a common midterm where not even a hello was nodded. Later on, Boy searches for Girl in the library and formally introduces himself, asks for contact into, you know, the way things happen. Boy is now on Girl’s map.
Right now, it would be good to know this story takes place on an academic context.
This progresses into more personal interactions. Boy and Girl sit together in classes; in the front during the first one because the Girl likes it, in the back during the other because it’s the Boy’s preference. Boy initiates the change.
After only talking three times, Boy stalls when class is over to talk to Girl. Boy offers to drive Girl home – they live close together, she’s on his way. Girl agrees. Interactions become even more interesting.
Boy asks about Girl’s future. She’s leaving the country by the end of next year – or at least that’s the plan.
Girl is excited she meets someone who loves this science as much as her.
I won’t bore you with the details of all that was shared, but there are a few highlights that made Girl’s day.
Boy says one day to a friend he just introduced Girl to, “I have found my person here. Both in this *Field of Science*, both in the same classes and living close together.”
Girl freezes and wishes for him to have meant something else; something more. Girl knows he probably didn’t. The expression is repeated twice to two more people.
Boy doesn’t have a car that day. He has a group of friends he was planning on leaving with but asks Girl to come with them. Girl wants to stay longer – just ten minutes. Boy lets his group leave, stays with Girl until the event is over so that they can leave together by bus.
Social media? Interactions are stunted – non-existent almost.
Time to enrol to the next semester. Boy makes during class a file for himself with possible choices, but shares it with Girl on social media without being prompted or asked. Girl feels warmth. Considered. Cared for.
Exams roll around. Boy tells Girl they’re going together. Emphasis on tells because Girl never had any expectations. For Boy it seemed like a given.
Boy says to Girl as they’re driving to the exams: “I know it may seem like a daily hassle to you, but being away from you is my stressor during the exam.” Girl feels like she wants to cry happy tears until tomorrow never ends. Girl wants to hug Boy, but physical contact is something that never happened between them. All Girl can promise is to stay close.
Boy goes on, “If she separates us, wait for me until the end. I’ll wait for you until the end – until the end of the world, until I lose my light, I’ll lie on the floor and pretend I’m dying.”
Now I know what you’re thinking. That’s it. How much more does Girl need to know to see this guy is into her, right? Well, what you don’t know is the part after the hyphen are lyrics of a song that came out about a decade ago. Girl didn’t even know Boy would even know that. But Boy quoted the song and Girl has no idea what it means.
Girl stays up at night analysing Boy. Girl’s been speaking to Boy for months and she still can’t figure him out.
One of two things are happening: Boy is into Girl, or Boy is an incredibly kind person.
Two things are also true: Girl is into Boy. Boy is a truly kind person.
Before exam Girl jokes they’re friends only because Girl is a good student and Boy wants her close to cheat on the exams. Boy laughs and agrees.
Hanging out as a group, Boy and Girl are studying in their corner – Boy keeps getting distracted by another female friend laughing. It seems to Girl Boy’s attention is on her.
Enter jealousy.
Boy has never liked any of her Instagram posts. Boy never even asked for it in the first place. Girl finds female friend’s Instagram account. Boy has liked almost all of them.
Another decision is reached: Boy wants to use Girl’s intelligence for his gain. Boy probably likes female friend.
At least, with that thought in mind, rejection is easier to handle. Isn’t it, Girl?
When you finish reading this story, please note how seven lines can cross fourty-five into oblivion.
So, does Boy like Girl after all? Can anyone know? Can you?
If you have an answer, or a theory, or an opinion, Girl is all ears. It may be something Girl hasn’t even thought of, right?
