The one you believe is just beyond your grasp, is actually lookin' for someone just like you! Here's how to hook them...
The Young one
It's daft but it's true - while it's generally seen as ok for a guy to date a younger girl, a lot of people still think that it's weird when a girl gets on well with a lad who's a couple of years younger than her!
It's not how old you are, it's who you are and how you feel that counts. If you get on well together, then go for it! You might get a few jokes about cradle snatching at first, but if you get it on, people will soon get used to seeing you together, and leave you alone.
Reach out by following your heart... After all, age is just a number, right?
The Good mate
The two of you get on too well. You hang out together, can talk for hours, and they're always there when you need a shoulder to cry on... Even if you do suddenly find yourself fancying them, is it worth risking ruining your friendship?
True friends are really important, and you shouldn't even think about taking things further unless you suspect he/she feels the same. But at the same time, all that unrequited love could put pressure on your friendship no matter what happens. Your best bet here is to take things slowly. If, and when you feel the time is right, do something subtle like hugging them for a lil bit longer when you say hi, or touching their hand when they're talking.
If they feel the same, they'll soon catch on to your sneaky signals!
Reach out by letting it come naturally. Mates do become dates. Just look at Joey and Dawson - and Joey and Pacey too! Heck, that girl could write a book on dating mates!
Your best mates bro/sis
They only know you as their little bros/sis' best mate, so they're probably more likely to pat you on the head than give you a snog. Plus, how would your mate react if you suddenly started goin' out with their big bro/sis?
Hmmm, tricky! If you like them and you suspect they might like you too, you need to tread carefully - especially if they're alot older than you are. Talk to your mate about it, and make sure that they're ok with you making a play for them... then try striking up a friendship. Next time you call your mate, and their bro/sis answers the phone, say hi, and ask how they are. Once you've had a few friendly convos, they might see you in a totally different light. Even if it doesn't work out, you might just make yourself a fab new pal.
Reach out by showing them that you're a fab, fun person in your own right, and not just their little bro/sis' mate!
The Far off guy/gal
Whether they are a crush you met on holiday, or a local guy/gal who's moved away - the fact is you'll never ever see them again, so why bother?
Ok, long distance love is hard, and it doesn't often work out, but if you really like them, don't write them off completely.
After all, this is the 21st Century and that;'s what emails, texts, phone calls, and even letters are for! Stay in touch as mates at first, and if you get the chance to meet up now and then, even better. But even if you can't get together, it's still nice to have someone outside your day to day life, who can listen to all your probz, and give you impartial advice...
Reach out by being a great long distance pal. Everyone can use another mate, so see how that goes, and you never know what might happen between you later on!
The Cutie from a different crowd
You like totally different things, and hang out with totally different kinds of mates. They're into Mazza Manson, while you're The Artful Dodger's biggest fan! Face it, the two of you are too, er, different!
Life would be pretty boring if we were all the same right? And just because someone's into different stuff to you, doesn't mean that you won't beable to find some common ground. The best bet is to know them on a 1 to 1 basis first. If the two of you hit it off ( and why wouldn't you? ) you can then start meeting each other's mates. Hopefully, the more time your separate gangs spend with each other, the more they'll get on. Then you'll not only get a new boy/girlfriend, you'll double your mates too! Bargain!
Reach out by being yourself. It might sound a bit corny, but opposites really can attract, and if they're worth it, they'll like you for what you are. Go for it!
Mr/Miss Popular
They're cute, cool, and everyone at School wants to hang out with them. So why would he/she wanna hang around with you? This is one crush you're keeping under cover. After all, what's the point in letting them know how you feel, when they could have their pick of gorgeous guys/gals? He/she probably doesn't even know you exist...
Don't just automatically write this one off, cause they may just surprise you... The thing is, if you're too shy to even stand in the same square mile as him/her, how are you ever going to know for sure how they feel about you? For all you know, you could be just the kind of person he/she's lookin for... So why not make the effort to get to know them? If you have any classes together, try making a casual comment about the lesson, as you both just " happen " to be leaving the room, or ask them to remind you what the homework was, when you bump into them in the corridor. Or, if you're feeling super confident, you could just walk up to him/her at a party and say hi. They'll probably be dead impressed with your up front assertiveness, and want to get to know you better. And once you've made an impression, you never know - things could easily progress from there!
Reach out by being brave! After all, if Rachael Leigh Cook could bag Freddie PJ in " She's all that " anything's poss! So take a deep breath, believe in yourself, and get out there and knock 'em dead!
