CONNECT WITH YOUR CRUSH THIS SUMMER

What could make summer better than hooking up with your crush? Figure out which "Crush Category" your guy belongs to, then follow Myjellybean.com tips for scoring a hookup.

Crush Category: A Guy You Kinda Know, But You've Never Talked To

Don't write him an email/text/letter. If it gets into the wrong hands it could turn into a very embarrassing situation for you. Just make it casual. Plan ahead and don't say something overly vague ("Do you like movies?") or overly direct ("Want to go out Friday?"). Instead, get him talking and see what he's interested in. Then use that info to make your move. For example, he says he went roller-blading last weekend. That's your clue to say, "You like to rollerblade? I was thinking of going out to the lake on Saturday to blade along the beach. Would you like to go with me?" If he weirds out or seems uncomfortable with what you said, just save your pride by shrugging your shoulders and saying "Whatever, I'm sure I can find someone else to go."

Crush Category: A Guy You've Talked To A Few Times

Before you blurt out your feelings to him, try to get a good idea about whether he might like you as more than friends. Check out the list of signals in the "Does He Like You?" section of the Myjellybean.com Flirting Guide. If you see some positive signals and you're pretty sure he likes you too, try to get into a conversation with him alone, outside of class, like at lunch or in the halls. When you get talking, say something like "we get along so well, do you want to maybe do something together sometime after school?" Then see what he says... hopefully it will be yes!

Crush Category: Your Best Guy Friend

You already know you love your friend as a brother. Would it be worth the risk to try for more? Maybe, it depends. Think about whether you'd be okay with the relationship as it is now for a while, or if you will be miserable if things don't change and get more romantic. If you think you can deal with just being friends for a while, try waiting. Making a move could screw up the friendship, and that would be tragic. If your guy pal does share some of your romantic feelings, waiting will give him some time to work up the nerve and make a move on you himself. Be patient. If you are dying to know how he feels, mention to him that one of your friends (don't give a name) made a comment that you two would make the perfect couple. Ask him what he thinks about that. Say something like "We're so close, some people probably think we're going out. Do you ever think of me in that "date" way?" If he seems weirded out by the question, back off... and just stay friends for now.

Crush Category: Your Guy Friend Who Has a Girlfriend

It's fine for you to think she's not a good girlfriend to him, but it's really not your choice. For as long as he wants to date her, you have to respect his feelings as his friend and support his decision. I know it is hard to watch a friend dating someone you don't have much respect for, especially when you like that person in a more-than-friends way. But trying to butt in or make him realize she's not right for him will only end up with her being even closer to him, and you losing his friendship totally. Either be really supportive of their relationship, or keep your distance if they make you feel ill. Don't let him see you are anything but thrilled for him. Stay good friends with him if you can, but look for other guys to crush on while he's taken. If you are super-nice to him whenever you get the chance to talk or hang out, he'll be yours one day if it's meant to happen.

Crush Category: A Friend's Ex

Bad news: The fact that your friend dated your crush is a very good reason not to date him. It could totally wreck your friendship with your friend. If you date her ex, your friend will probably tell you bad things about him, and she'll be paranoid he's saying bad things about her to you. And maybe he will be. Also, if you become an item with him, you'll always wonder if he went further with her, if she was a better kisser, if he secretly still likes her... see where I'm going? The opportunities for jealousy are too much. And your friend might suspect you liked him when they were going out, and she'll suspect you of being a bad friend. So if you value your friendship, forget about dating your friend's ex.

Crush Category: A Very Shy Guy

He may like you back, but you'd never know it because he's too shy to show it. A good approach with the shy guy is to try to get friendly with him outside of school. If you have guy friends, make plans to do something with them and some girl friends too (just hanging out, playing frisbee, or seeing a movie in a group). Then ask your crush if he wants to join the group for the activity. That way, you can say "me and some other guys and some girls are going to..." and he won't feel isolated like he'll be the only guy there. Sports activities are ideal, because there are lots of opportunities for getting all heated up and then sitting it out with him on the sidelines. Plus you can show off your moves if it's a sport you're good at. Other ideas are inviting him to go somewhere with your family, or asking him to be your escort to a family event like a barbeque. You could put it like, "they expect me to bring someone, and I'd really like it to be someone nice like you who I feel comfortable around." Hopefully, he'll be flattered and say yes.

Crush Category: A Family Friend

This guy probably has no idea you have romantic thoughts about him. So it's a good idea to try to become good friends with him before doing anything else. If you get to be buddies, you can hang out together on your own, without needing your families around to provide the reason. You can get to know him even better as a person, and he'll get to know you and how special you are as an individual. It's the perfect chance to see if there are sparks between you and if he shows any interest in taking things to a romantic level. How to become his friend? Next time your family goes to his place, try to get him alone by asking him if he's got any cool CD's and say "let's go look at them." Or say you feel restless and ask him if he wants to go for a walk with you. While you are hanging out together, tell him "I always have a good time when we visit you, but it's not very often. Maybe I could call or email you sometime just to say hi, would that be okay?" Hopefully he will say "sure" and you can get his email address or phone number. Email is better, because it's a lot easier to write to someone you're crushing on that phoning them up, and it's a little less direct. Then you could start an email friendship with him, ask his advice on stuff, and gradually build up the friendship. That leads to eventually hanging out, in groups or just the two of you, and that leads to real pal status. From there, you can think about what comes next.