Personally I think your mistake was playing the "I like you" card too quick. Having been a 16 year old girl, I'd say it's not as much fun without the friends-first build up. It's better to get the chance to develop a good serious crush on the guy, butterflies in the stomach, wondering whether he likes you like like that, and maybe fantasizing a little bit about how he looked at you "that way" and "oh, my gosh, doesn't that meen he likes me?" And speaking as a woman, we usually want to make sure the guy really genuinely likes us a friend too. (Like if I was completely ugly, would he still be interested in my personality?) I'm not saying sometimes the direct approach won't work. And I know you don't want to just cast in the "just friends" role. But, I think it's more effective if you test the waters gradually. Throw out a complement or two (but not too many at first- that gets creepy). Play around and flirt a little bit. Give her a chance to get worked up. Then, when you move in for the kill- DO NOT act like, well, um I kinda like you like as girlfriend material. Is that okay? Girls want guys to be confident who aren't just despirate to have a girlfriend. If you start hitting on her a little bit, she'll pick up on it. If she pulls back, you know you might not be the type of boyfriend she's after. Maybe she's more interested in the halo guy cause he's closer and more accessible. They'll be other girls. So, my point is- flirt a little bit, be cool, don't act despirate, try to be confident- even ever so slightly arrogant/cocky, and don't pull the "i really like you" card too soon. And if you get rejected by one person- don't focus on that. You'll just set yourself up for more rejection. And don't dwell on perceived shortcomings. Just tell yourself, I am awesome cause of this, this, and this, and the right girl will see that. Hell, you have a job- at your age that rocks.
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