[the phantom]

I assign being too shy to say what you think or feel. You can never manage to say what you truly want to, and then you spend an eternity afterwards with the thousands of 'if only's that stem from just one spineless occasion. *Sigh*

Ah, but that's simply one of the things we introverts have to put up with

I keep saying to myself, "Today's the day I tell him how I feel.", then I end up having a fifteen minute conversation with him, and never say it.

Oh, to be a teen again.

Don't feel alone introverts *snicker*, for extraverts also can have trouble telling people how they "really feel". I mean, when a guy talks and flirts non-stop all the time, if he tries to tell someone how he "really feels" it'll come off sounding just like his usual flirty self. The only way he can show that there is a difference is to get super-over-the-top gushy, which he definitely isn't crazy enough to do unless he is super sleepy or drunk, and even then everyone will still think he's just being his usual self only with weariness or alcohol added.

So, you don't want to be overly shy or flirty. Both are bad. You would do well to take Papa littlemanpoet's advice and simply give compliments to people you like. It's that simple. Notice your target's outfit or hair and if you like it tell them you do and why. If they write a good article for the school paper or if they give a good speech tell them you liked it and why you liked it. Look for opportunities to say something nice.

I've never had anyone give me a negative response for saying something nice to them. People like positives coming their way.

Take me for instance- I definitely respond positively to compliments. I absolutely love it when I go to someplace and a couple girls or so notice that I have a new suit, a new shirt, or a new tie, and say they like it. It makes me think Wow! Not only has she complimented my taste in clothing, but she also must pay close enough attention to me all the time to know when I'm wearing something that I've never worn before.

Now, after you've opened the door for compliments, see if the other person starts tossing some back your way. Start with simpler stuff, then step it up and see if they do too. I'm sort of simplifying here, but as an example go from "I really like that outfit" to something more like "You look really good in that outfit". You see how the second one says a lot more? That's how it's supposed to work. You should step your way towards each other- as opposed to constantly biting your tongue and never letting anything out and then suddenly jumping off a bridge and spilling your guts.

The disappointment of actually having asked him out only to learn that he does not feel the same way.

Wow, you are way braver than me, Enca. Though I've had girlfriends, I've never straight-up asked a girl out. You see, I'm pretty good at getting a feel for people and I'm good with words, so I always manage to get her to say "yes" before I have actually asked the question. Yeah, I know that's not very chivalrous, but I don't care.

And Enca, m'dear, I certainly hope you aren't still feeling blue about your bad experience, because from what I've heard you were far too smart and pretty for him, anyway.

And, seeing as it is past midnight and I have to wake up for work in six hours, I send working any time before noon to Mordor!!