The High School Student's Guide on How to Ignore the Nagging Feeling That You are in LOVE (or just have a crush), by yours truly.

1. Don't look at them, hoping they'll catch you and get the message.

SOLUTION

-If you are like me, and suffer from this horrible thing called blushing, your face will literally set alight in front of them, especially if they catch you. But if you don't blush... CAN I BORROW YOUR FACE (or heart, or emotions, or nervous system)? If you are more the subtle person, and like letting off hints simply like this, which of course isn't a bad idea, but lethal if you are not careful. Instead, look for excuses to look at them.

-For example, if they are doing a presentation in class, stare at them, why wouldn't you, it's rude not to give people eye contact when they are talking, isn't it? Just look over at something different every now and then, just in case they see you staring at them like a cat. You don't want to creep them out.

-Or if they are asking a question or answering one, you can look at them... that's culture right. Let's just look at this person and glare daggers at them if they get the answer wrong or ask a weird question. Nooooo... don't do that! Just look back pleasantly and maybe if they see you share a smile.

-Another way to sneakily look at your crush, or love interest, is while you're walking past them. Let's say... it's lunch, you've finished eating whatever crap sandwich you've made yourself, (because let's be honest, when I make a sandwich I literally slap a piece of meat between to pieces of meat and feel like the next winner of Masterchef), or maybe a salad or left overs from last night's dinner that's slightly cold, and you're crush is still eating their lunch, and you feel the sudden urge to use the dunnies (aka Toilets), or in much nicer terms, the facilities.

You must walk past where they sit, so you do so, and while you do, you secretly look their way. If they look at you, maybe they aren't looking directly at you, and maybe at the dude behind you who just ate a canary cream. Or maybe they see you, and you quickly look away. But to be honest... what good does that do? To be honest it could make it even more obvious that you like them... or it could make them feel weird. But I think looking away is a natural response. You could always have a staring competition with them, daring them to look away with the POWER OF YOUR PUPILS AND IRISES!

In conclusion, be stealthy, subtle, discreet. Unless you are that type of person that doesn't care if people know who you like, good on you, because why should people care anyway?

2. Write or Talk about it. Communication with those you trust.

SOLUTION

What is that I hear you say? "That's not ignoring!". Well, your true, you got me there. It is simply a... suggestion... on how to deal with this weird fuzziness you get in your stomach whenever you see a certain person, or the strange sense of disappointment you get when you realise they are not at school that day.

I find that writing helps me, because it lets me untangle the huge knot of emotions I am holding on my chest. For example, if you look at a lot of my previous chapters, I have written stuff that I needed to get out. And I posted them... online... to a lot of people I haven't seen face to face... oh yeah, this is WATTPAD! WE DO THE STRANGE, BECAUSE WE FEEL LIKE IT! You don't even have to be that clear about what you are saying, do it how you want to, use fake names, address the situation and even write about how you could solve the tricky problem you're facing. Problem is, sometimes, you want it to be fixed in real life. Which is where I have to step aside, as we are getting totally off topic. If you are in love, tell somebody you trust, whether it be your awesome followers on wattpad (love ya'll), or a family member.

What? What is it your saying again? "Ha! Tell my family! And sentence myself to a lifetime of teasing! NO WAY YOU CRAZY UNICORN!"

Good point. I'm lucky to have a pretty good relationship with my older sis. I have also got pretty immune to family member teasing over the past years of my life, where I discovered the horrible emotions of crushes, because I know it's just for the laughs. I am not immune to teasing that is meant to hurt me, because it does. Nonetheless, tell your friends, but you have to trust them. You just have to. Especially if you don't want anyone else but them knowing, because stuff like this can spread that sneezing particles, and soon everyone will know, I speak from experience.

And don't get your friend to go and and tell your crush... please don't... again, I speak from experience. Only do it once you are confident and know it's the right thing to do, not because you want some action.

And if you are not prepared to suffer the consequences, don't tell them yourself unless there is nothing you can do, and it is literally tearing your insides apart, piece by piece!

Please just think things through thoroughly before you do anything about anything.

And prepare yourself to IGNORE the teasing you might get. It's probably just banter, and of you are being hurt by it, then that's when you sort things out in a mature way, like writing about it (I wonder who did that... heh), telling an adult or your older siblings who have no doubt been there, done that. It's amazing who can actually help you.

So, communication with those you full-heatedly trust is key. I am being Sirius. It has helped me in the past... yet I have tried to bottle up feelings. But it hasn't worked. When the bottle is poked, prodded, and shaken, soon it all bursts out and makes a right old mess. But be careful who you trust, that's vital, anyone can turn on you, so you really must trust someone with your life.

3. Think, before you look back at them, or say a thing.

Some point to ponder:

What should I be doing right now?

What will I do if they catch me?

What will I do if they don't catch me?

Why do I want to look back at them?

Why do I even like them in the first place?

What is the teacher saying right now that I should be listening to instead of asking myself these questions some person on wattpad posted?

What will affect my future most?

How will my life be changed from this very action I am about to take?

What's it like to touch their hair... wait no! What's it like to not be in love?

What would I do if I wasn't crushing on this person?

Wait... ARE THEY LOOKING AT ME?

These could quite possible change your life forever. Not to be over dramatic or anything. Always be prepared for anything. Always? Because after all this time... why do you even worry at such little things when your future and education is sitting on your shoulders, all smiles, and reminding you to think about priorities.

As a wise wattpad user recently told me, @Potterhead0619, school first, love later.

That's my focus this year. I know that sometimes my emotions do not oblige, but I am telling you that it is sure worth it to try.

Especially with the operation I had at the start of the yearm (have I told you already what it was? I will if you want to hear about it), my body and mind are focus on education and healing. Once you squeeze in all the stress and emotion of crushes, it gets pretty crowded in there. Can't you imagine them as little figures, and Education yells at Crush, to 'stop stepping on my toes!', then crush yells back to them 'stand back! We are about to embark on a long and treacherous journey of falling in love, I will take the lad from now on!'. And it starts to get busy up there in your head.

To sum it up

1. Be discreet and not like James Potter, if you want to go unnoticed.

2. Communicate with those your trust whole-heartedly.

3. Think about priorities.

Have you got any tips? Comment below.

This chapter was dedicated to @Potterhead0619, who you should check out if you want a smile to be spread on your face, especially if you're having a crap day and need to be cheered up. It has worked for me.

How have you joined today's chapter? Any topic you want me to write about and give tips?

-Gabs xx