You can run around with girls and boys all your life and it's considered adorable; the second puberty strikes, it's like you're all of a sudden walking a thin line between friends and potential lovers.

I've gotten along with guys better than girls my whole life. Possibly, because I was a huge tomboy since I was very young and while girls my age were trying on princess dresses and planning out dream weddings, I was collecting t-shirts and planning days at the park to play every sport. However, as time went on, the constant outings and hour long talks began to ring suspicion in everyone's eyes.

Suddenly, simple friendships were too good to be true.

Currently, I have a male friend that I adore to the ends of the earth. Yet, all my friends and family are placing bets as to when our wedding will take place. There are no signs of anything beyond a friendship, yet the rumors are loud and clear. To be honest, it sometimes makes the friendship not only awkward but creeps in the question of whether or not we may actually have feelings.

So, why is it so shocking for men and women to simply be friends? Why does there have to be some sort of attraction there regardless of the relationship? Why is it so difficult?

Here are a few reasons:

People always assume you guys are dating.

Although what others think won't directly affect your friendship, the idea that there may be more people that think the same way could possibly change things. Now that you realize how your time together can be perceived, you may be more cautious about spending time together, especially alone. This specific point is particularly annoying because you want to be able to show off the fun times and hang out carefree but the rumors will eventually begin to bother one or the other.

You may accidentally be the reason you're both still single.

Along with the false dating accusations, being so close to each other may discourage others to pursue the both of you. Partially because they think you're together already and because they may not want to deal with a best friend of the opposite sex.

Attraction is there, no matter what.

You may not be sexually attracted to your best friend, but you're attracted to their way of being or the way they make you feel. No matter how innocent, that's what will first begin to creep in the doubt of what side of the spectrum you're on.

The attraction could even happen before you guys became friends. Usually, that's how you get close enough to establish a friendship to begin with. I've had instances where a guy friend will tell me "I used to have a crush on you, but I'm glad we're friends now." Sometimes, an immediate attraction is there, but becoming friends is a good way to avoid potential heartache.

For example, one day you share a deep, intimate secret with a guy friend. Now, you have a deeper bond and that changes the way you two view each other. Before you know it, the comfort between you two grows and eventually you know each other like the back of your hands. Don't get me wrong, this sort of bond isn't a bad thing, but creating a connection like this can begin to bring forward feelings you didn't think would be felt at all.

The things that make you such good friends could also make you great partners.

This is especially confusing. Let's say you became friends because you watched the same shows and love the same bands. So, you have Netflix nights and go to concerts together often. Isn't that something a couple would do as well? Frustrating, right?

At this point, I say have your fun!

Who cares if people think you're dating? If you're not then you're not! If feelings do eventually come up don't be afraid to express them. If they don't, you've successfully survived the awkward "will they or won't they" stage and have a forever friend.