Quite possibly every girl’s worst nightmare: You’re halfway through lunch, not-so-discreetly scoping out your crush when your bestie casually looks over and says the last thing you expected to hear: “They’re kind of cute.” Cue the internal screaming.

Whether it’s your hallway crush, chem lab partner or the new student everyone suddenly “needs help” from, liking the same person can get awkward fast. If your life is suddenly starting to feel a bit too much like The Summer I Turned Pretty (in reverse and *without* the sibling drama ofc), don’t panic just yet. Here’s our take on how to handle the sitch (minus three szns + a movie of drama). 

Have the awk convo before things *actually* get awk

Pretending nothing’s happening might feel easier at first, but it usually just leaves both of you playing guessing games. Instead, talk it out. You don’t need to make it a dramatic heart-to-heart—just be honest.

Maybe you’ve liked them for months, while your bestie only recently noticed them. Maybe neither of you wants to make a move because your friendship matters more. Whatever the outcome, clearing the air early is wayyy better than letting things simmer until someone accidentally finds out through the grapevine (because we all know a rumor started in third period somehow makes its way around half the school by lunch). No need to let your entire grade become invested in your love life.

Plot twist: Your crush has free will

It sounds obvious, but this is so easy to forget when your emotions are all over the place: This isn’t The Bachelor, bb. Your crush gets a say, too. 

Real life isn’t Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah, and there isn’t a magical rulebook that decides who “deserves” someone more. They might like one of you, have their eye on another person or have nothing but midterms and making the soccer team on the brain (sometimes the answer really is that they’re thinking about… literally anything else). As frustrating as uncertainty can be, trying to control the outcome usually creates more stress than it’s worth.

Remember who’s been there all along

Crushes can come and go, but a ride-or-die bestie? That’s a pretty special person to have in your corner.

If you’re starting to feel jealous (totally normal, btw), don’t beat yourself up over it. Feelings happen; what matters is what you do with them. Keep making time for your friendship outside of all the crush talk. Go for your usual coffee run, binge OBX, spend an afternoon checking out that café you’ve seen all over IG or plan a cute GNI. The more memories you make together, the less this whole love triangle sitch will feel like the center of your universe.

If things don’t go your way…

If your crush ends up liking your bestie…Safe to say, that probs wasn’t on your Pinterest vision board.

It’s OK to feel disappointed for a little while. Give yourself some space, vent to someone you trust and let yourself move on at your own pace. Who knows? By this time next semester, you might’ve made eyes with your lab partner and be wondering what all the fuss was about (school crushes have a funny habit of changing every five business days).

More content to fill your lover-girl heart…
🫶 Which Fictional Couple Are You And Your Bae?
🫶 The Cutest 2000s Rom-Com-Inspired Date Ideas
🫶 The Low-Key Signs Your Crush Likes You Back

Images: @bychiarawolf, @everydayymae, @embreighcourtlyn, @jasminekirrby, @nikeydauringon