Is it okay for me to still like him?
I’ve liked this guy in my band class for MONTHS, he sits next to me because we have similar parts for our instruments. I’ve been physically attracted to him and always thought that he’s very cute, but I haven’t actually talked to him yet. It’s been more of an admire from afar type of thing. But as of recently, one of my friends that’s in drumline with him has mentioned some insensitive joke and what not that he’s said which should be a turn off for me. For example, he said he didn’t want one of my friends in marching band because he’s “black and gay,” which I literally can’t tell if he was being serious, or if it was a teenage boy joke but it’s especially alarming since the guy he was talking about is a close friend of mine. Some of my friends are saying it’s weird that it’s not an immediate turn off, and they’re right, but i literally can’t get him out of my mind. I had a whole plan to follow him on instagram when school gets out and try and pursue him, the first time I’ve tried to go for someone I like. I’m extremely conflicted and I’ve got no idea what to do😭😭 Based on what I’ve heard from my friend, I believe that she’s telling the truth, but at the same time I’d like to make the decision for myself by growing closer to him and learning what he’s really like and decide. But if I do that, my friends would HATE me for it and I don’t wanna potentially cause them to cut me off over this (since some of them are kinda overdramatic at times). Should I just try and stop thinking about him for their sake, or should I go for it and try to put myself out there despite what I’ve heard?