Confession: I like my friends crush - AITA for pursuing a relationship?
AITA for developing feelings for my friend's crush, leading to a secret connection with him, and now facing a dilemma between loyalty and pursuing a potential relationship, causing a moral conflict?
A 28-year-old woman is sitting on a romantic bombshell, and her best friend is about to set it off.
She has had a crush on her friend Sarah’s crush, David, for a while, but then David straight up tells her he likes her, not Sarah. Now the OP has confessed back, and David wants to move forward with her, while Sarah is happily planning to ask him out, totally clueless about the connection between the two of them.
The real mess is choosing between protecting Sarah’s feelings and taking a chance at something that could actually be mutual.
Original Post
I'm (28F) in a tight spot, Reddit. My friend Sarah's (27F) crush, David (29M), is someone I've secretly liked for a while.
Here's the twist: David revealed to me that he has feelings for me, not Sarah. Shocked, I confessed my feelings too. Now, Sarah is excitedly planning to ask David out, unaware of our connection.
David wants to pursue something with me. I feel torn between loyalty to Sarah and exploring a potential relationship with David.
Should I come clean to Sarah before she asks him out and risk hurting her, or keep quiet and see where things go with David? Help me out here, Reddit.
So AITA?
The Heart of the Dilemma
This situation is a classic case of unintentional betrayal, where feelings collide with friendship. The OP’s affection for David isn't just a fleeting crush; it's a genuine emotional connection that complicates her loyalties to Sarah. It’s one thing to have a crush on a friend's interest, but when those feelings are reciprocated, the stakes rise dramatically.
Readers can likely empathize with the OP's struggle. It forces a choice between pursuing happiness and risking a friendship. Many have been in similar positions where romantic interests threaten to disrupt the equilibrium of their social circle, making it a relatable and contentious topic.
Comment from u/luna_gazer99

Comment from u/CoffeeBeanCrusader

Comment from u/jaded_unicorn_7
Sarah is out here making plans to ask David out, while the OP is trying to decide if she should be honest before the date becomes a disaster.
Why Loyalty Is Complicated
At the heart of this story is the concept of loyalty, a slippery slope in friendships. Sarah is planning to ask David out, completely unaware of the OP’s feelings. This complicates the OP’s decision-making further. If she chooses to act on her feelings, she risks not only her relationship with Sarah but also the potential fallout with David, who may not want to be caught in the middle.
This tension showcases the moral grey area we often navigate in friendships. Can you truly prioritize your happiness over your friend's feelings, especially when they’re completely oblivious to the situation? This question is what sparked so much debate among readers.
Comment from u/bluejaydreamer
Comment from u/music_lover23
Comment from u/LemonTeaAddict
The moment David told the OP he has feelings for her instead, the whole “crush on someone else’s guy” situation stopped being simple.
Like the AITA where someone hid that her friend’s crush asked her out, you’re stuck deciding what Sarah deserves to know.
Community Reactions and Divisions
The Reddit community's reactions to this dilemma highlight just how divided people can be on matters of the heart. Some readers may argue that pursuing a relationship with David is a betrayal of trust, while others might advocate for the OP to follow her heart. This division reveals how personal experiences shape our views on loyalty and love.
Interestingly, comments often reflect the complexities of human emotions. Those who’ve been in similar situations often urge the OP to be honest with Sarah, while others emphasize that love can be unpredictable, suggesting that the OP should embrace her feelings regardless of the consequences.
Comment from u/catwhisperer11
Comment from u/MidnightSnacker
Comment from u/SoccerMom93
Now the OP has to live with the fact that her confession basically put David in the middle, even if nobody asked to be in that position.
The Risk of Confession
While honesty is generally the best policy, there are real risks involved in confessing feelings to both Sarah and David. If the OP decides to come clean to Sarah before anything happens with David, she might face immediate backlash, not to mention the potential for Sarah to feel betrayed. On the flip side, hiding her feelings could lead to guilt and further complications down the line.
This dilemma encapsulates a common conflict in relationships: the fear of losing a friend versus the hope of finding love. It’s a tightrope walk that many know all too well, and it’s no wonder this story resonated with so many readers who’ve faced similar crossroads in their own lives.
Comment from u/PizzaAndPuppies22
Every time Sarah’s “I can’t wait” energy ramps up, the OP wonders if keeping quiet will cost her friendship and maybe her chance with David too.
What's your opinion on this situation? Join the conversation!.
Where Things Stand
This story serves as a poignant reminder of how complicated relationships can be when romance and friendship intertwine. The OP’s journey reflects a universal struggle: choosing between your heart and your loyalty. As readers weigh in, it raises a vital question: how would you handle a situation where your feelings for someone jeopardize a close friendship? Would you act on those feelings, or prioritize your friend’s happiness?
The Bigger Picture
In this tangled scenario, the original poster's (OP) feelings for David are a testament to the complexity of human emotions when friendship and romance collide. With David reciprocating her feelings, the OP faces a significant dilemma: should she risk her friendship with Sarah by pursuing a relationship, or remain silent and potentially deceive her friend? Sarah's excitement about asking David out adds another layer of urgency, illustrating how easily relationships can become strained when secrets and loyalties are at stake. Ultimately, this situation highlights the difficult balance between personal happiness and the ethical obligations we feel towards our friends.
Nobody wants to be the reason Sarah’s big ask turns into heartbreak.
Still wondering if it was a mistake to spill Sarah’s secret-crush info to David? Read this AITA where revealing a friend’s crush sparks chaos in the group.