Guy on the bus

[xlBitterSweetlx]

You've probably seen this kind of question a million times, and I can assure you I've read a million answers, but I still felt like asking you guys as well. :)
There's this guy on my bus. He is graduating this school year (18) and I'm 16. We travel on the same bus, I sometimes sit next to him or something, but we've never actually talked. The thing is, he is a bit short and although he tries to play it cool, I feel like this makes him insecure. Aside from that, I know that he participates in the school's writing competition, which really surprised me because I am a writer as well. I came across his profile on Facebook and we have a few mutual friends, but I feel like this is too direct and might scare him as he is not that sociable. When he comes to our bus stop, I sometimes get the courage to look at him, but I am really afraid to smile because I think he probably won't do anything and it will make me give up. I had actually tried to move on from this... crush, I guess, but when I saw him again after the summer, I just couldn't help it and I think about him quite often. :/
If I want to, I know that I can shut down my feelings a little bit, but knowing that I may actually be able to do something bothers me.
So, any advice? ♥

[jordanhardy]

Say hi to him next time you sit next to him on the bus, start up a conversation and turn it to your common interests like writing, or say something like "Hey, your in the writing team" or something like that

[ScottieDog]

Yeah I think your way in here is definitely the writing interest. Next time you're next to him on the bus mention to him that you are also into writing and that if he ever wants someone to talk to about writing and all that stuff you'd love to spend time with him. Nothing like a shared hobby to bring two people together.

[JamesSuperBoy]

Ok for one I would ignore the face book friends in common cos so many just ad people so you cannot rely on that. But the writing you can work with and I would try that.

[xlBitterSweetlx]

Thank you guys for the great advice, but there is a problem..
He won a small award this year and his essay is yet to be published, and knowing that it was him means that I know his full name, and I'm worried that this might come across as really creepy. =/ So I'm not really sure I can bring this up yet.
Is it okay to talk to him without mentioning the writing for now, or just smile and see how it goes?

[JamesSuperBoy]

If you know about award/prize then others will to - I guess do not complicate or over think the deal -

[ScottieDog]

You can still talk about the writing without mentioning the prize. If a lot of people at the school know about him winning the award you can just congratulate him on winning the award no need to mention that you know his full name.

[Sasha M]

Try chatting him up on facebook fist, then the real-life interaction won't be so bad. Get to know him and then make your move! ;)

[mrmee]

If you can get any conversation going, make it slightly flirty. Not too much, but enough to give him somthing to think about.

[James Dean]

I don't think he will assume you're a creep or a stalker. If you still feel unsafe, just don't bring it up. Be cool with him, don't pass up the chance. You could be missing out on a good friendship with this guy. Don't be afraid about talking to him. There is nothing to lose by going for it.

[asrlem]

Sit next to him on the bus and just start talking. I mean really i am also hesitant to talk to girls sometimes. Like when you look at people and think wow that used to be me and they probably feel the same way i know in 6th grade i was afraid of the 8th graders but i look at them now and they are afraid of me. So just start talking and you will both lossen up with each other, he might feel weird about talking to you too.��

[Karkat]

I don't think there's any problem with bringing up writing still, if it's a commonly known thing. Otherwise, just try to strike up small talk or something at first.