I feel like my friends are being harsh, what should I do?
I am struggling with quite a few issues that relate towards my friends and I need advice on what steps to take next. So I (M 17) have made lots of friends over many years during my high-school experience. Some of these friendships I really do enjoy having and have made lots of great memories with. We've gone to movies together, slumber parties, Holiday parties, karaoke nights, and etc. But lately when I hangout with my friends, I feel more distant and our so called 'jokes' have felt more and more harsh. For example, this one friend I will be calling Alex (F to M 16) has been a very great friend. And although I haven't known them for too long, it's been probably one of my most happiest friendships. To explain our relationship, we make tons of jokes towards each other and of course they sound mean, but we always mean no harm and have fun while doing so. However, over the past 2 years, its gotten progressively worse. At first, it was maybe once or twice every two weeks, then increased to every week, then eventually to every conversation we had. When we had first started this bond, it didn't bother me and I knew they were just joking, but the more it increased, the more I've felt worse. I can't even go one day without being told "how big I was today" or "of course you're thinking about food right now" and even making fun of my laugh. Every time however, they've always assured me that it's a joke. I've tried making subtle hints to them that it's not funny anymore like: (sarcastically) "oh yeah, that was soooo funny." Or "wow, thanks I REALLY needed that." And its not like im not being obvious. I've had friends in the same class we all share ask if Alex knows im being sarcastic about these jokes, and they still don't get it. I know that eventually im going to need to confront them, but in a way it's hard to because anytime I feel like I can, im reminded of the fact that im less significant than them, if that makes sense in a way. Like I feel like they're the strong, mature, and super confident one between us, so its hard for me to want to express how I feel when I feel like they would end up thinking im being dumb or that I can't handle a joke. Another scenario I have with this other friend that I'll be calling Nathan, (M 18) which I have had the biggest and fattest crush on for like majority of our friendship. He has been the funny one between us, that no matter what he does, it always makes me laugh. But whenever I try sending him a video I genuinely believe was so funny, or I try making him laugh, he always seem annoyed or awkward. So instead of actually telling me im not funny, he kind of just gives a im weird response or questions how anything I find funny is actually humorous. And that didn't really bother me that much, but what really did bother me was how whenever I try to hangout or talk or say anything that in the slightest annoys him, he just ends up being weirded out and annoyed again. Like sometimes I wish he would just tell me that im weird rather than just giving facial expressions or looks that im being weird. It honestly feels worse seeing that face rather than just straight up telling me. I could go on and on about other friends I have that I've felt similar stuff with, but mainly it's just these 2 people. And I still really care about them, it's just im lost on where to start without sounding dumb, or overwhelmed just because I cant take a joke or because my humor just isn't funny. So please, any and all advice can help.