[charlietrain]

Hey guys,
So to give you a little background: I met my teaching assistant (T.A.) before he was my T.A. He is 23 and I am 21. Me and my group of friends met him last year (June) at a party through a mutual friend of ours. Ever since he has become part of our social clique. This semester he became my T.A.

There are a few reasons I think he might like me: He hugs me, walks with his arm around me and flirts with me. He has called me his muse, and "the sun of his days" as well as his "second mistress" and makes remarks when I touch other friends - guys (he seems to get jealous). He always want to sit next to me and is always challenging me to do shots with him when we go out at night. He has also phoned me and chatted with me on Facebook (things which he has not done with my other friends).

In class he is very professional, so he is very impartial (although he sometimes makes remarks that I think are about of personal life outside of class, but that he masks so well in order for others not to understand - many of my colleagues don't even know we know each other outside from class). My friends are always teasing me, saying he likes me, but they are normally just fooling around (nothing serious).

I don't know what to think because he is a funny guy and I don't know if he is like this to me because we got along well (so he thinks he can say/do these things and that I will know that they are just for laughs) or because there is really something more than just friendship.

The reason I am asking here is because I don't want my friends to know I wonder about this. I don't want them to tease me even more. I am not sure of my feelings for him and so I don't want to entice them to talk about it...

What do you think? Are these things that a normal friend (who is super outgoing) would do? If you think he is into me, what should I do?

Thank you for your opinion in advance.

[dontknownuthin]

We can't really know whether he's just a flirt or likes you, but it sounds like he gives you more attention than the other girls, so I'm guessing he's into you. He may be unclear because as your TA, it's not really appropriate for him to date you.

If I were you, I'd seize a moment when he's flirting shamelessly with you and say, "talking like that, if you weren't my TA I'd expect a dinner invitation!" Throw it back at him and see what he says or does.

[joypulv]

I would want to know what 'second mistress' means. I assume that his work and studies are his first, but I would flat out ask him.
We strangers can't possibly know what he's thinking. Friends who know you both claim he likes you, so I'm a little puzzled why that isn't enough. Is EVERYONE ALWAYS goofing around so much that you can't tell if anyone is ever serious? Time to find out. Ask!
PS: You do realize that he might really like you but won't let it out because he's your TA and wants to be careful to get some little clues from you first, that you like him? Can't you decide if you like him before you find out if he likes you? I think it's your job to say something first. You could say 'All this muse and sun and hugging is starting to make my heart go pitter pat, so I wonder if I should keep more distance.' See what he says.