Crush and more: The new feelings

Naina’s overthinking one conversation, Ishaan is stuck in a “what are we” situation, and Tara is just not feeling it at all. Wherever you are in this chaos, their stories might feel a little too real and a lot reassuring.

It started in the school corridor. Everyone speed-walking because the Math teacher had already entered class.

Naina turned the corner too fast. Her books went flying.

“Wow. That was dramatic,” someone said.

She looked up. Kabir.

He picked up her notebook, handed it over.
“You okay or should I call for backup?”

She laughed. “I’m fine. Just academically struggling.”

They walked to class together. Sat at the back. Whispered through half the period. Nothing big happened. But also… something definitely happened.

That evening, Naina was lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

Why was she smiling randomly?
Why was she replaying that conversation like it was a core memory?

And why was she suddenly stressed about what she said?

“Okay this is weird,” she muttered.

Naina’s moment: “Why am I like this?”

Next day at lunch, she said it. “I think I have a crush.”

Zoya nearly dropped her juice. “Finally. Canon event!!”

Naina rolled her eyes. “Shut up. But seriously, why does it feel like this? One minute I’m happy, next minute I’m overthinking everything.”

What are these “crush” feelings?

• A crush is when you feel attracted to someone
• You may feel excited, nervous, happy, or confused (sometimes all at once)
• You can have a crush on one person or even multiple people
• It can be on someone you know or even a celeb
• You can feel this attraction towards any gender
• These feelings are normal and healthy
• They may last for a short time or grow stronger over time

Naina’s confusion: “Is this love??”

Later, Naina whispered, “But like…is this love? It feels different from normal friendship.”

Reyansh leaned back. “Relax. This is not a Netflix series.”

Naina frowned. “So it’s not love?”

Zoya shrugged. “Crush is usually fast and chaotic. Love is slower. Less ‘why did they say hmm instead of hey’ energy.”

Ishaan added, “Crush equals excitement plus confusion. Love equals understanding plus consistency.”

Naina blinked. “Okay…if you say so Mr. love guru.”

Crush vs relationships

• As you grow, some friendships may start feeling more than just friendship
• This strong attraction is often called a crush
• You can:
  • Enjoy the feeling quietly
  • Or choose to share it with the person
• If both people feel the same, they may spend more time together
• This is sometimes called dating or being in a relationship
• You don’t have to act on a crush if you don’t want to
• It’s also okay to not feel the same way and say no respectfully

Ishaan’s story: “So…what are we?”

Ishaan was staring at his phone now.

“Okay but real question,” he said. “What even counts as dating?”

Naina leaned over. “What happened?”

“I’ve been talking to someone,” he said. “We text every day, send reels, even say goodnight… but in school we act like strangers.”

Zoya didn’t even look up. “Classic.”

“What does that even mean?” Ishaan said. “Are we friends? More than friends? Just bored?”

Reyansh laughed. “Welcome to confusion 2.0.”

“And don’t even start on replies,” Ishaan added. “If they take too long, I overthink. If they say ‘k’, I overthink. Basically I just overthink.”

Naina nodded. “One ‘hmm’ can ruin your entire mood.”

“Exactly!” Ishaan said. “Why does one message have this much power?”

Aanya shrugged. “Because we read into everything like detectives.”

Dating today 

• A lot of communication happens through texts, DMs, and social media
• You might:
  • Talk a lot online but act different in person
  • Overthink replies, timing, or tone
• Not everything is clearly defined, sometimes it’s:
  • Friendship
  • Crush
  • Or something in between

Important:

• Not everything needs a label immediately
• Clear communication helps more than guessing

Handling the confusion

• Don’t overanalyse every message (your brain will spiral)
• It’s okay to ask, “What are we?” when you feel ready
• Take things at your own pace
• Notice how it makes you feel, comfortable or stressed

Zoya’s moment: “Wait…this is different”

Zoya had been quiet for a bit.

“Okay don’t make it weird,” she said, “but I think I might have a crush too.”

“On who?” Ishaan asked.

Zoya hesitated. “On…Rhea.”

There was a pause.

Then Naina said, “Okay, and?”

Zoya blinked. “That’s it?”

Reyansh shrugged. “It’s a crush, not a crime.”

Zoya smiled, a little relieved. “Good. Because my brain is still panicking.”

What’s happening inside your body

• During adolescence, your body releases new hormones
• These hormones help your body grow and change
• They also affect your emotions and feelings
• Your brain releases chemicals like
  • dopamine (the “reward” chemical that makes things feel exciting)
  • serotonin (affects mood and emotional balance)
  • oxytocin (linked to bonding and closeness)
  • adrenaline (can make your heart race and feelings feel intense)
• You may feel:
  • Excited one moment
  • Nervous or confused the next
• These brain chemicals can make it feel really strong, new, and sometimes a little confusing

Reyansh’s situation: “Why are they acting different now?”

Reyansh frowned. “I used to talk to Aditi every day. Now she’s suddenly busy all the time. Did I mess up?”

Naina winced. “That feeling is actually the worst.”

Zoya nodded. “Yeah…been there.”

When feelings get complicated

• Sometimes, feelings are not returned
• Sometimes, people may act differently or drift away
• This can make you feel:
  • Hurt
  • Confused
  • Left out

Important:

• It’s okay to feel this way
• It doesn’t mean something is wrong with you

Tara’s moment: “Maybe I just don’t feel this?”

Tara had been quietly listening.

“Okay but…what if I’ve never felt this?” she said. “Like, no crush, no butterflies…nothing.”

Everyone looked at her.

“And honestly,” she added, “I don’t even think I want a relationship right now.”

There was a pause.

Then Ishaan said, “That sounds peaceful, not weird.”

Zoya nodded. “Yeah. Not everyone feels things at the same time.”

Naina added, “Or even in the same way.”

Tara smiled. “Good. Because I thought I was behind or something.”

If you haven’t felt this yet

• Not everyone experiences crushes at the same age
• Some people feel it earlier, later, or not very often
• Some people may rarely or never feel this kind of attraction
• There is no right time for these feelings
• It’s okay if you don’t want a relationship

Aanya’s advice: “Don’t deal with this alone”

Aanya said, “When my brain starts overthinking, I talk to someone. Otherwise I create fake scenarios and believe them.”

Naina nodded. “Same. My imagination is not trustworthy.”

Talking to someone helps

• You don’t have to handle everything alone
• Talk to trusted adults like:
  • Parents
  • Teachers
  • Older siblings or cousins
• They can help you understand your feelings better
• Remember, you’re not the only one going through this

Naina’s realisation: “Okay…this makes sense now”

That night, Naina wasn’t spiralling anymore. The feelings were still there, the butterflies, the overthinking, the random smiles, but now they didn’t feel scary. Just new.

“Okay,” she said. “So this is a crush.”

Her phone buzzed.

Kabir: “Math homework samajh aaya?”

Naina smiled. “Yeah,” she whispered. “Some things are finally making sense.”

Quick recap

• Crush = attraction + excitement + confusion
• Totally normal during adolescence
• Can be towards any gender
• Caused by body and brain changes
• Can be short-term or grow stronger
• You don’t have to act on it
• Dating today can feel confusing (texts, mixed signals, no labels)
• It’s okay if feelings aren’t returned
• It’s okay if you haven’t felt this yet
• It’s okay if you don’t want a relationship
• Talking to someone you trust really helps

You’re not overthinking. You’re just feeling things for the first time. Or not yet. Either way, you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

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