Does He Really Like Me or Does He Just Really Nice?

by Jessica
(New York City)

Now, Kyle wasn't your everyday popular boy, who noticed no one but the popular girls that fawned over him. He was down to earth, totally smart, as cute as can be and most importantly, polite. All the teachers loved him, and the students, because of his proper manners. He was a modern day Prince Charming.
I remember the first time I met him. Extended day in our school is for many different classes. Unfortunately, I had to take earth science extended day. So, at the time, I had heard his name, but I had never really actually took a good look at him or even spoke to him.
So when we had all gone on laptops, I had sat down by myself, knowing that no one else here was a real friend. I remember playing a game about earthquakes when a voice went ?Boo!? and a hand touched my shoulder.
I jumped and let out a tiny shriek. I turned around to find my face inches away from his. He grinned goofily. I just wanted to see if I could scare you,? he said. Your name's Jessica, right? Yeah, I said, staring at him.

The name's Kyle? he said. Kyle glanced at my screen. Hey, what is that? A jigsaw puzzle??
Yeah, I said again, feeling stupid.
I turned back to the screen, hoping he would go back to his friends, but he didn't. He just stood there, his face still close to mine. I was so nervous that I kept putting the wrong pieces in the wrong spaces.
By now, his face was so close to mine that his cheek brushed against mine. I blushed. Hey, you're putting them in the wrong places,? he pointed out.
Well, I know that!? I retorted, feeling flushed. I haven't finished one puzzle yet! This is hard!?
He pointed at one piece and pointed to a space. That one goes there, Kyle said, still not moving away.
Hmmm I moved the piece there. It clicked into place. Kyle grinned. My face flushed red. If you're so smart, then why don't youtry it?!?
?Fine. I will. He sat down next to me, sitting on my chair. My heart skipped a beat. Kyle stared at the screen and started dragging pieces. In almost no time, the puzzle was finished. That was easy. He turned to me, smiling. Got anymore??
The bell rang and we all looked up. I turned back to Kyle. Too late.
He frowned a bit. Oh well, he said, standing up. Maybe next time, Kyle said. He held out his hand.
I hesitated before taking his hand. Why was he being so nice to me? I wondered. I plugged my laptop back into the charger.
Just as I stepped out of the room, I heard Kyle call my name. I turned around. He caught up to me, his bag over his shoulder. He offered me a smile. Hey, you take the bus home?? No. I walk. I live kind of close to the school.?
Hey, me too. I'll walk you, Kyle offered, smiling. I blushed, realizing that he had pearl white teeth. Not many kids had them and were able to have such a killer smile either.
If it doesn?t bother you.?
No way, he said. Kyle put his arm over my shoulder and I felt like my heart had stopped beating. Anything for a friend.
Friend? I thought. I hardly even knew that we were acquaintances!
Since then, he always sat next to me at extended day.

I never had much experience with boys and no experience with boys that I liked, so I could never tell if he flirted with me. Sometimes I think he does.

Like when he used to force me into hugs and then never let go, like he was afraid I'd go away. But then the next day, I'd see him hug someone else. Or when I make him laugh and he snorts which makes me laugh even harder. And how he'd come over to me and my friends more often and often, when, before he met me, I don't think he knew any of them. Some days he said he liked my hair and he always notices when I wear lip gloss or when I wear something really nice.

Another instance was extended day again, of course. He had been sitting down in the front with the other boys, when he usually sat with me. I thought he had been mad at me at first.
So I sat in the back, playing with the hamsters when I was supposed to be on the laptop. It was coming to the end of the year, so teachers had to take stuff down. Kyle, being the perfect student, offered to help.
I didn't notice him, until I heard a stomp behind me. I jumped and whipped around. Kyle grinned down at me, from standing on top of the tables.
You're an idiot!? I said, blushing.
He shrugged, reaching for a poster hanging up on the wall. I stared at him, while he reached for it.

He pulled it down, then jumped to the next table, and ripped down another one. He did this with every table until I said, Is that really necessary? Can?t you just use a chair??
He smiled. Yeah. Kyle jumped down from the table he was on now. But this is more fun.
Then it happened. He climbed onto my table, bent down so close to my face and blew me a kiss. My heart skipped a beat, and no one had to tell me that the blood was rushing to my face.
Kyle continued to make me think he liked me. Like one time, this kid named Joshua, who annoyed me so often, was bothering me yet again.

You're dead, Joshua! he laughed. You must be dead already, because you're face looks like a zombies.

I chased him around the room, Kyle talking with some of the other guys. I caught Joshua by the collar. You're as dead as buried!
He grabbed me by the wrists and grinned. Fine, fine!? He pulled me close, grinning. ?Be gentle!?
I blushed. Let go of me, you freak!
He was laughing his head off, and I should have been laughing too, but I was kind of scared. I didn't know he was joking and I really was terrified.
Then almost without warning, Kyle kicked him in the back. Joshua let go of me, turning around. Leave her alone, dude.?
I'm just joking around, Joshua said, laughing. Catching the look on Kyle's face, he stopped. He looked back at me, who was still blushing furiously. Then he retreated.
Kyle watched him as he left and then looked at me. You okay, Jesse??
I pushed a strand of hair out of my face. Y-Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?? I gave a nervous laugh.
Kyle studied me and then looked over his shoulder. Ignore him. Joshua's an idiot. He really doesn't think about stuff. So, don't take anything he says too seriously.?
I nodded, feeling like a total loser. I could tell that Kyle knew I was feeling stupid from the way he looked at me. He grinned and then held his arms out to me.
I stared at him and shook my head. No.
Come on. Jesse, he said, smiling. You know you want to.
I know I don't want to, I answered. But that didn't stop Kyle from hugging me tight. He held me so tight, I couldn't move my arms and then he started rocking back and forth, making me trip over my feet. I couldn't help laughing. Kyle, let go of me!
He just held me even tighter. ?Kyle! Kyle! Do you hear me?! Kyle!
I could feel him smiling. I could tell he was having fun with this. I could hear him laughing too, which, in return, made me laugh harder.
But then without warning, Kyle stopped. I looked up. Joshua grinned at us. Aw, isn't that sweet! Two lovebirds!?
Shut up, Kyle said.
I pulled myself out of his arms and headed towards my bag. That was perfect timing for him to ruin the moment.

There was also this one time that Kyle and I were studying before class for our Spanish book.
Why don't you let me study?? I asked him, but he shrugged. Then he grabbed my book and started reading it. Hey! Give it back!
Hold on! he said, and I was chasing him around the book. Finally, he remembered that he was taller than me and he held it over my head. Come on. Let me study! I'll give it back later!
Fine, I agreed.
Then I sat on the table and Kyle looked at my face. Then suddenly he got closer. There's something on your face.
'Where?' I asked.
Then he touched right by the side of my mouth and started brushing it. There.
Oh. I'll be right back, I said quickly, jumping off the table and out of the room. No need to say how fast my heart was racing.

Kyle's really nice, and he doesn't act that way with everyone, but everyone knows he's really nice, so I don't know if he knows that he flirts with me sometimes, or if he even is flirting.