First Crush

Rahul develops a crush on a classmate for the first time and feels nervous about talking to her.

Meanings in Rahul, Priya (classmate), Arjun (friend)

Key words and phrases

crusha strong but brief liking for someoneRahul has a crush on his classmate.

nervousworried or anxiousHe felt nervous every time she looked at him.

blushto turn red in the face from embarrassmentHe blushed when she smiled at him.

complimenta kind remark about someoneHe gave her a nice compliment.

confessto admit a feeling or secretHe wanted to confess his feelings to her.

feelingsemotions someone has for another personHe wasn't sure how to express his feelings.

awkwarduncomfortable or embarrassedTheir first conversation was a little awkward.

butterfliesa nervous, fluttery feeling in the stomachHe gets butterflies whenever she talks to him.

admireto respect or like someone a lotHe admires how confident she is.

shynervous about talking to someoneHe is too shy to say hello.

stareto look at someone for a long time without looking awayHe didn't realize he was staring at her.

daydreamto think pleasant thoughts that distract you from the presentHe started to daydream about her during class.

flusteredconfused and nervous, unable to think clearlyHe got flustered when she asked him a question directly.

waveto move your hand as a friendly greetingShe waved at him from across the corridor.

hintan indirect suggestion about your feelingsHe dropped a hint that he liked her.

eye contactlooking directly into someone's eyes while talkingHe found it hard to keep eye contact with her.

teaseto playfully joke about someone to make them embarrassedHis friends tease him about his crush all the time.

rejectto refuse someone's feelings or proposalHe was scared that she might reject him.

mutualfelt equally by both peopleHe wondered if his feelings were mutual.

heartbeatthe beating of the heart, often used to describe excitement or nervousnessHis heartbeat quickened whenever she walked by.

Useful sentences

Ask Do you have a crush on someone?
Answer Maybe... I'm not sure how to say it.
Ask Why do you look so nervous today?
Answer I have to talk to her, and I don't know what to say.
Ask Should I tell her how I feel?
Answer If you're comfortable, you can tell her honestly.
Ask What if she says no?
Answer That's okay too — it takes courage either way.
Ask Can you help me start the conversation?
Answer Sure, just say hi and ask about her day.
Ask Why do you keep staring at her?
Answer I don't mean to — I just get lost in thought.
Ask Did she wave at you today?
Answer Yes, and my heartbeat went faster than usual.
Ask Do you think she's dropping hints that she likes you?
Answer Maybe, but I can't tell if it's mutual or not.
Ask Why can't you keep eye contact with her?
Answer I get flustered and forget what I wanted to say.
Ask Do your friends tease you about her?
Answer All the time, but I don't mind it much.

Dialogue

ArjunYou keep looking at Priya. Do you have a crush on her?

RahulMaybe... I don't know how to talk to her.

ArjunJust say hello and ask about her homework.

RahulWhat if I say something wrong?

ArjunDon't worry, just be yourself.

RahulOkay, wish me luck. I feel so nervous.

ArjunYou'll be fine. Just try not to stare too much when you talk.

RahulOkay. What if I get flustered and forget what to say?

ArjunThen just smile and ask her something simple, like about her favourite subject.

RahulAlright. My heartbeat is already so fast just thinking about it.

Common mistakes

Saying "I am liking her" instead of "I like her" — English usually avoids the continuous tense with "like" for feelings.
Saying "She gave me a crush" instead of "I have a crush on her."
Saying "I am feeling shy from her" instead of "I feel shy around her" or "I feel shy talking to her."
Saying "I am staring her" instead of "I am staring at her" (the verb "stare" needs "at" before the person).
Saying "My heart is beating fast from her" instead of "My heart beats fast when I see her" or "My heart races around her."
Saying "I want to confess her" instead of "I want to confess my feelings to her" ("confess" needs an object like "feelings," not the person directly).

Quick quiz

1. What do you call a strong but brief liking for someone?

2. Complete: "He ___ when she smiled at him."

3. What is a nervous fluttery feeling in the stomach called?

4. What word describes looking at someone for a long time without looking away?

5. What do you call it when feelings are felt equally by both people?

6. Complete: "He got ___ when she asked him a question directly."

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