Friendly to Everyone

Signal strength — Low to moderate: warm, but not aimed at you in particular

What's probably going on — He likes you, just maybe not the way you're hoping. He's easy to talk to, he includes you, he texts back, but when you compare how he treats you with how he treats everyone else, it looks about the same. Some people are generous with their attention, and it's easy to mistake that for a signal. It could still change, since plenty of crushes start as friendships. But if he tells you he sees you as a friend, believe him the first time and don't keep pushing. That's about his feelings, not a verdict on your worth.

Signs pointing yes

· He's comfortable around you and actually talks, not just nods

· He includes you when you're in a group

· He answers your texts at a normal speed

· A real friendship is solid ground to build on

Signs pointing the other way

· He treats you the same as the rest of the group

· He mostly texts first when he needs something

· He's asked your advice about someone else he likes

· He doesn't try to be alone with you or make plans with just you

What to do next — Enjoy the friendship for what it is right now, and watch whether he starts treating you differently from everyone else. That difference is the signal, not the friendliness.

What not to do — Don't turn every kind thing he does into evidence. Being nice to you isn't the same as liking you, and it isn't a promise.

One line for you — The signal isn't how nice he is. It's whether he's nicer to you than to everyone else.