WE KNOW WHAT YOUR CRUSH IS THINKING

That infamous "I think we should break up" text pops up (ouch). Or your situationship keeps saying they can't wait to hang out with you...until band practice, math homework, a pickup game and, well, just about anything else happens to get in the way.

Crushes: They bring out the best, most emotional and, yeah, strangest sides of us. We went straight to the sources to craft the ultimate cheat sheet to *all* the cryptic/unclear/ just plain confusing things bae throws your way.

“I’VE BEEN TALKING WITH SOMEONE I KNOW FROM SCHOOL FOR SIX MONTHS. WE FLIRT ON SNAP 24/7, BUT EVERY TIME I ASK TO GO GRAB PIZZA OR MEET UP TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS, I GET GHOSTED. WHAT’S GOING ON?” – KENNEDI W., 16

Ah, the dreaded talking stage. The biggest reason situationships go on too long? One (or both) of you likes the fact that you get the benefi ts of a relationship (like a listening ear, someone always ready to FaceTime and a fun backand-forth) without having to put in the effort required for, um, an actual relationship.

“When I really like someone, I make it clear when I’m genuinely busy by saying what’s up and suggesting another time to hang,” says Noel M., 16. “Vague answers usually mean I’m trying to avoid the question without getting into an argument.” So if you’re constantly ghosted when you try to make things real, chances are they’re not looking to take this romance further and it’s time to press pause on all the talking. Better than wasting more of your precious time on this frustrating fl irtationship.

“MY CRUSH SEEMS INTERESTED IN ME WHEN WE’RE TEXTING. IN PERSON, HE’S QUIET AND AWKWARD. SHOULD I TAKE IT AS A SIGN HE’S OVER IT?” – LYLAH E., 14