Just a Spark

How deep it goes — Light and fun, for now

What's probably going on — You like them, and it's a nice feeling: a little jolt when they walk into class, something to look forward to between periods. But from your answers, most of it lives on the surface. You don't know them that well, you don't think about them much once you get home, and one bad mood or annoying habit is enough to cool it down. That doesn't make it a lesser feeling. Most crushes start exactly like this, plenty stay exactly like this, and that's completely fine.

Signs it's more than a crush

· You'd notice right away if they stopped showing up to school

· They make an ordinary school day a little better, and that counts

· You're curious what they're actually like outside of class

· It's lasting a bit longer than your crushes usually do

Signs it's lighter than it feels

· What you like is mostly how they look and how much they make you laugh

· A bad day or one annoying habit is enough to cool it off

· They barely show up in your daydreams

· You've had crushes like this before, and they faded without much drama

What to do with it — Enjoy it. Say hi, laugh at their jokes, sit near them if it happens naturally. If you want to know whether there's more to it, get to know them a little and see whether the spark grows or quietly goes out.

What not to do — Don't talk yourself into a huge feeling because you think you're supposed to have one. And don't feel silly if it's gone in a month. Small crushes are allowed to be small.

One line for you — Not every spark has to turn into a fire to have been worth it.