Now that I’m in college, I’m realizing it’s becoming increasingly more common for guys and girls to be friends without thinking of anything more than that. I’ve always found myself wanting to befriend guys, but avoided it in high school because I was terrified they would catch feelings or think that I already had. So, there’s this guy in my class who I initially noticed because, yes, I was into him, but then found out he’s taken (she lives out of state, so I had no way of figuring that out without looking it up, really). I completely respect that and wondered if I should back off, like I’ve done many times before, but then I thought about it, and realized that I honestly still want to be friends with him. I can’t just remove the fact that I did see him a certain way (and still kind of do), but I do want to befriend him because we have a lot in common and I feel as though we’d get along. He’s also very skilled in the field I’m wanting to study, so it would be good to make connections there. So, I’ve talked to him a few times (good conversations about college, classes, topical things— not awkward at all) and the other night, he added me on Snapchat. I’m reading into it for sure, but it did seem like he was genuinely thinking about me and opening up that door for friendship. However, I was kind of worried, too— I started thinking, “Wouldn’t most girls hate it if their partner added another girl on socials? Why did he do that? What is his intention?” I was overthinking it a lot and then caught myself even thinking, “this is my chance,” but immediately felt disgusting because I would never try to steal someone else’s person. We haven’t talked at all really since then, but I do notice him paying a bit more attention to me in class and things. I’m not being delusional and saying that he “wants me,” but I’m trying to navigate how I can be his friend and not get excited when he pays attention to me. Also, do guys really ever just want to be friends? How cautious should I be?