So, I (21M) have been friends with my best friend (19F) for a while now. Back in high school, I think she might’ve liked me, but I was clueless and didn’t pick up on any signs (if there were any). Fast forward to now—she has a boyfriend, and I’m realizing I have feelings for her.

Before either of us started dating anyone, we used to spend a lot of time together—working out, playing video games all night, just hanging out. But once we got into relationships, we drifted a bit. Her boyfriend seems like a decent guy, but he’s not perfect, and she’s vented to me about him on multiple occasions. For example, she told me about how he left her in the car at night to go fishing with his friend (even though she didn’t want to go) and how he left her alone at a wedding to hang out with that same friend.

One time, she asked if I wanted to work out with her again at her home gym and even asked me to make her a workout regimen. But when I followed up about it a couple of weeks later, she kind of brushed it off. It’s these mixed signals that are throwing me off.

Recently, we’ve been talking a lot more, and she even said I’m the only guy she can really rant to or talk about random stuff with. That feels like a strong connection, right? She’s also told me that her relationship with her boyfriend goes through phases where they barely talk (it’s long distance), but at the same time, she says she wants to marry him and seems happy with him overall.

It’s just so confusing because one moment, it feels like she’s giving me clear signals that she likes me (e.g., opening up, wanting to spend time together), but the next moment, it feels like I’m firmly in the friendzone. For context, neither of us has ever made a move, so what we have could just be purely platonic.

We’ve always been there for each other when it comes to relationships and life in general. I feel like if I called her right now, she’d pick up without hesitation (and vice versa). So, Reddit, I’m torn—does she like me, or am I just overthinking everything? And what should I do about this?

TL;DR: I think I might’ve missed my chance with my girl best friend in high school. Now, she has a boyfriend, but I feel like she’s giving me mixed signals. One moment, it feels like she’s into me, and the next, I feel friendzoned. Should I act on my feelings or leave things as they are?