20 Signs Your Friendship Could Be Something More

It's like you two are co-starring in some will-they-won't-they sitcom, with everyone around knowing it's a rom-com, except the two of you.

Alyana Aguja
November 13, 2024
5 min read

20 Signs Your Friendship Could Be Something More — Abdul Gani M from Unsplash

This is the story of two “just friends” people, who unwittingly keep acting out a romantic comedy without knowing that’s what they’re doing. From unnecessary hand touches to full conversations that include inside jokes and low-key jealousy over anyone else in their lives, the signs are piling up faster than they can ignore them. If they just took a second to connect the dots, they’ll get that their “friendship” is basically a relationship waiting to happen, complete with slow-motion goodbyes and dramatic background music.

1. You “accidentally” touch each other way too often

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Your elbows graze; your knees bump under tables, and suddenly, you reach for that chip. It all somehow feels like a scene from that excellent rom-com. The next time you accidentally touch, game over, let’s get down on one knee.

2. Everyone assumes you’re a couple

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Each time a friend or stranger says, “Aw, you two are so cute together!” you laugh a little too nervously. Inside, you think, “Wait… are we?”

3. Their texts receive an instant reply, while everyone else gets left on read

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When they text you, you respond faster than Amazon Prime, but anyone else might as well be trying to send smoke signals. Let’s face it: They could just as well have a hotline for your cell.

4. You have inside jokes that no other person will ever get

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Half your conversations reference things only you two get, leaving everyone else looking at you like you’re speaking in code. Honestly, your inside jokes are an entire secret language at this point.

5. You care too much what they will think of the way you are dressed

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Suddenly, you’re picking up an outfit as if posing for a Vogue photo shoot, hoping they will notice. Forget the mirror; their reaction is what you secretly want.

6. You recall weirdly specific details about them

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It could be anything, from random food aversions to the name of their childhood pet to the fact that his favorite pen disappeared last month. Only people secretly smitten keep track of these kinds of details.

7. You’ve been spouting about your future “hypothetically” and sounds suspiciously like a couple’s bucket list

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Talking about dream vacations, imaginary dog names, or whatever makes it sound more like some marriage proposal. You keep saying it’s theoretical, but who are you fooling here?

8. It begins with a sprinkling of possessiveness every time they spend time with other friends

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You delude yourself into thinking you are cool with it, but the first time they mention another friend, you plan that person’s immediate relocation to Antarctica. It’s just friendly jealousy—or is it?

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You know what their last five birthday cakes looked like and probably have all their 2016 captions memorized. Forget “casually checking” these; you’re certified to be a historian over their online existence.

10. You have no issue doing errands together

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You even enjoy the shopping trips to the grocery store or hardware store, which somehow become mini-adventures with them. You’re busy picking out produce like competing on Top Chef, but with much more romantic tension.

11. You are always using some weak excuse to call instead of texting

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That “quick question” you wanted to ask could have been just a text, but you needed to hear their voice because, for some reason, it became the audio version of your favorite song on repeat. Now, your history of calls is pretty much a playlist called “Calls With My Crush.”.

12. You mastered the art of these “casual” compliments that weren’t so casual

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You’re not saying anything like, “Oh, you look nice,” but things like, “Wow, you really… pull off that color.” Your tone screams “secret crush,” but you’re pretending to be all good, friendly support.

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They know your fears, embarrassing stories, and even the weird things you Google at 3 a.m. At this point, they are almost like your personal diary with great humor.

14. You’ve joked about dating, but always a little awkwardly

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Every time one of you says, “Imagine if we dated, haha,” the room falls silent, like both of you are mentally rehearsing your wedding vows. Oh, it’s just a joke, right?

15. Trying to impress them with random knowledge or skills

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Suddenly, you start talking about the novel you are “working on” or that fantastic trivia knowledge about exotic birds, and that has all of you turning out like a peacock displaying your intellectual feathers.

16. Their opinions about everything matter way too much to you

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When they say they aren’t into something, you suddenly start wondering if you’re not a fan of that. It feels like they are now your personal compass on matters of taste and lifestyle preferences.

17. You’re weirdly comfortable with each other’s families

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You’ve talked to their mom more times than you’d ever want to admit, and their siblings greet you like you’re already part of the family. To anyone else, this is starting to look like a whole-family approval process.

18. You’d drop everything else to help out with the most mundane chores

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Moving? Sure thing! Pet-sitting their dog with questionable manners? Absolutely! Effectively, you’re saying, “I’ll be there,” without checking your calendar.

19. Whatever quirks might bug you in anyone else are somehow charming

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They snort when he laughs, leave their dishes in the sink, and chew way too loudly, but you don’t care. You’re either in love, or you’ve just become officially immune to their flaws.

20. It feels like saying goodbye is the final scene in a movie

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They portray every departing moment like a slow-motion scene, with imaginary background music for your emotions. The hardest part of your day is turning around and not looking back.