[17/m] I may have fallen for my foreign-exchange student [17/f]

[amaster144]

TLDR AT BOTTOM. These past 5 months have been rather rough for me after losing a friend in a car crash. I became very depressed and had a hard time leaving my house for about 2 months. About 3 months ago, my mother and my sister(16) decided that it was a good idea to sign-up to host a foreign exchange student. I wasn't too happy to learn that we would have another person living with us and I thought that it was kind of weird that my mom thought it was a good idea to have a girl, the same age as me, to come live with us. I didn't think that we would get that close because I have a sister that is just a year younger than us and she would probably hang out with her more. She arrives on the first day of my senior year and I meet her while I'm at school. This girl is GORGEOUS. I didn't think much of her though, she was still just a really pretty girl that was gonna live with us for a year. Over the course of her first 2 weeks here I tried to help her adapt by showing her around and introducing to some of my friends. I didn't really find any desire to hang out with her (or anyone for that matter), but I brought her along to hang out with friends because I knew she didn't really know anyone here. We began to hang out a lot more and more over the next few weeks and after the first month, I realized I had a small crush on her. It wasn't anything major and I thought it would just pass. Over the next two months, we began to hang out during a majority of the school week and the weekend and I quickly came out of my depression. She doesn't have to hang out with me at all, but she chooses to. I have really really strong feelings for her and I think about her constantly, but need help deciding if it is a good idea to tell her about these feelings. On one hand, I might get this beautiful girl to be a significant part of my life while she is here, but on the other she might be weirded out by the idea of her "host-brother" liking her. Thanks for any responses.
TLDR; I (host-brother) developed really strong feelings for my foreign exchange student. Should I tell her or just try to let it go?

[sqishy]

TLDR AT BOTTOM. These past 5 months have been rather rough for me after losing a friend in a car crash. I became very depressed and had a hard time leaving my house for about 2 months. About 3 months ago, my mother and my sister(16) decided that it was a good idea to sign-up to host a foreign exchange student. I wasn't too happy to learn that we would have another person living with us and I thought that it was kind of weird that my mom thought it was a good idea to have a girl, the same age as me, to come live with us. I didn't think that we would get that close because I have a sister that is just a year younger than us and she would probably hang out with her more. She arrives on the first day of my senior year and I meet her while I'm at school. This girl is GORGEOUS. I didn't think much of her though, she was still just a really pretty girl that was gonna live with us for a year. Over the course of her first 2 weeks here I tried to help her adapt by showing her around and introducing to some of my friends. I didn't really find any desire to hang out with her (or anyone for that matter), but I brought her along to hang out with friends because I knew she didn't really know anyone here. We began to hang out a lot more and more over the next few weeks and after the first month, I realized I had a small crush on her. It wasn't anything major and I thought it would just pass. Over the next two months, we began to hang out during a majority of the school week and the weekend and I quickly came out of my depression. She doesn't have to hang out with me at all, but she chooses to. I have really really strong feelings for her and I think about her constantly, but need help deciding if it is a good idea to tell her about these feelings. On one hand, I might get this beautiful girl to be a significant part of my life while she is here, but on the other she might be weirded out by the idea of her "host-brother" liking her. Thanks for any responses.
TLDR; I (host-brother) developed really strong feelings for my foreign exchange student. Should I tell her or just try to let it go?

Though I have no experience with relationships yet (unfortunately), I think it is okay to go ahead with it, and see how things go. Don't jump too far, but it should be okay to let her realise how you're feeling first. Hope my response is okay - hugs can help, you both deserve them.

[amaster144]

Thanks buddy. Just gotta work up the courage to tell her soon.

[Uniquemind]

Admitting feelings is fine, just don't assault her.

Also look to see if you have common interests and all that and it's not just lust or you clinging to something that helped you get out of depression. Freshly getting out of a depression and have you swing into the too happy too fast, which can set you up for a fall emotionally.

Say she rejects you or distances herself from you in response, where are you emotionally? Are you ready for that?

Will you still be in a happy place post rejection.

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If things work well, and it gets hot and heavy use a condom. There are also legal implications because you're a host family. Be careful.

[amaster144]

Admitting feelings is fine, just don't assault her.

Also look to see if you have common interests and all that and it's not just lust or you clinging to something that helped you get out of depression. Freshly getting out of a depression and have you swing into the too happy too fast, which can set you up for a fall emotionally.

Say she rejects you or distances herself from you in response, where are you emotionally? Are you ready for that?

Will you still be in a happy place post rejection.

---

If things work well, and it gets hot and heavy use a condom. There are also legal implications because you're a host family. Be careful.

Thanks for your concerns. I've lived with her for just about 3 months now and we are together all the time. I genuinely have feelings for her, not just lustful feelings or feelings of emotional dependence. I've thought a lot about this and i'm sure i will be able to handle the possible rejection. Obviously I will be sad, but I will be able to manage. I just really think that I should let her know about these feelings, so that I am not left with any "what could've been" thoughts. If she isn't into me, then she isn't into me and that's fine. Thanks for your concerns again.

[Uniquemind]

Thanks for your concerns. I've lived with her for just about 3 months now and we are together all the time. I genuinely have feelings for her, not just lustful feelings or feelings of emotional dependence. I've thought a lot about this and i'm sure i will be able to handle the possible rejection. Obviously I will be sad, but I will be able to manage. I just really think that I should let her know about these feelings, so that I am not left with any "what could've been" thoughts. If she isn't into me, then she isn't into me and that's fine. Thanks for your concerns again.

Then go for it and live honestly.

Just make sure if she says yes, there's protection if things get heated up.