Bet you guys didn't see this one coming! An actual encouraging article from yours truly regarding romance? What even is that? I figured since I potentially destroyed y'all's dreams last week, I thought I might actually try to inspire them this week. Especially now that Valentine's Day has passed, which is a plus in my book.

You now know what to look for if your crush isn't interested in you, but how about what to look for when they actually ARE? If you scratched your head in confusion just now, this is the perfect article for you!

1. They Can't Get Enough of Your Voice

Be it from calling or actually talking face to face, if they like you, they're gonna want to hear from you a LOT! It can be difficult sometimes to tell something like this if you're texting all the time, so if, or when, they ask if they can start calling instead, that's a big indicator right there that they might actually want something more out of y'all's relationship. I know, at first, it might seem pretty hard to believe. They WANT to hear your voice? Seriously? But hey, if it turns out that they do, you're on the right track.

Another instance would be the amount of effort they put into trying to see you. They could be impossibly busy and STILL try to find time to come and see you at your dorm, or wherever y'all are trying to hang out. The effort they put in tells it all, so pay close attention the next time you and your crush try to hang out.

2. The Flirtation is Strong with This One

This is one of my personal favorites. There is nothing more terrifying and satisfying than having said, or sent, something incredibly risky and flirtatious, just to have your crush respond with something of equal or greater flirtation. There's just nothing like it! The satisfaction you feel, the rush of adrenaline that it gives, it just makes you want to talk with this person more and see what else you can get away with now that this level of the relationship has been reached. Just be sure to take it slow at first, rather than go all out right off the bat and potentially freak them out.

3. The Look on their Face

This one is pretty priceless too. You go over to see your crush, or vice versa, and the first thing they do is give the world's widest smile when they see you. If there's blushing involved, that's a plus as well. If something like this happens, it's almost certain that they like you. But for those of you reading this, don't go out expecting this particular action from your crush just yet, because each person responds to their crush differently. They could be excited, as I just explained, could get really nervous and shy, or--seemingly in my case--they put up a stubborn front, or feigned disdain, which is actually really adorable.

4. They Actually Laugh at Your Jokes

You didn't read that wrong, either. If your crush likes you, there's a chance that even your lamest joke will be enough to put a smile on their face. It does help a lot if you're ACTUALLY funny, though.

And if it just so happens that they start to joke back with you--or sass you--I'd say that it's pretty clear that there's something good between the two of you.

5. When You're Brave, They Reward You

Have you ever been so nervous about going the extra mile to get your crush to notice you that you simply just freeze where you are? Have you ever just wanted to hold their hand, cuddle, or even say something semi-romantic, but were hesitant because of what they might say, that they might reject it? Yeah, I know that feeling all too well, which is why I can say in full confidence that you should just go for it and see what happens.

If your crush likes you back, they very easily could just be waiting for you to make the next move, for you to be brave and take that extra leap. And once you do, you never know what might happen next. If the two of you are watching a movie and you're wanting to hold their hand, just go for it. Just take a few seconds to observe and see if it's alright first, though. If their arms are crossed, it's probably for the best that you keep away. Same thing for cuddling if you see that they're gradually inching away. But if you find yourselves scooting closer to one another, shoulders touching, practically leaning on one another, I'd say that you ought to take the chance.

Because in actuality, if the feelings are mutual, your crush is probably just as nervous as you are and needs some reassurance from you, or an indicator that they aren't in this alone. So once you do give them that, and they return the gesture with a smile, by taking your hand, or accepting your cuddle request, or being romantic as well, you might find that things weren't as complicated or scary as you first thought.