So it all started in September 2013. New school. New start. I made some new friends, met new people. My relationship with my old friends sorta faded, but we still talk every here and then. We were all separated in different classes. I didn't really consider most people to be my "friend", they were loud and annoying (I was like the opposite). We didn't really have any friend-relationship. Just classmates.
So I met him. And her. And Her. He was just a year older than me (call him J). The second girl was in the same year as me (she'll be A). And the last girl, she was older than me by a year (R).
I never really payed attention to J. But one day, something went off. I noticed that I was Attracted to him. I didn't want to take part in any relationship. I didn't want to get hurt. I was afraid of getting hurt. I remember the times when J and I chatted about this and that... but nothing that personal. He once asked me (bluntly) “Do you like me?”. Just straight out, no one around us was paying attention. Too busy throwing sticks at each other. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. I told him that I wasn't sure, he was just like a brother to me, even though we didn't know eachother for that long.
Everytime I thought about him, I always told myself that it was just infatuation. That I was merely attracted to him. I thought that it'd all fade away one day.
A often started to hang around him, whenever we had conversations, it's just be J and A talking. I would leave the conversation, I thought that A liked him, and so I stopped talking to J. A and I were okay friends, she didn't know about my so-called-feelings.
Then I started hanging out with R. We became pretty good friends. I learned things that I didn't know about her. We talked one day online... I decided to play a little game with her. She could ask me any personal question and I'd list a few possible answers. Only one would be right. She asked who I liked (pretty obvious question). I gave her the names. She sorted through them. It came to only two names. I did sorta like two of them, but it was merely like a “sibling” thing or infatuation. They reminded me of my brothers in a way, so I liked talking to them.
Then it was her turn. I asked her the same question because I couldn't think of any. I sorted them out, and it was like I knew her inside out. It came down to J. She spilled the beans and told me everything. Her feelings. When it started. Everything. I did the same. It was merely just infatuation.
I told my two of my other close friends. They told me to just confess to him. But I never told them that I was afraid of getting hurt. J was like the pretty boy at school. He had his own little “fanbase” thing. A lot of girls liked him. When he hanged around with girls, he'd have his arms around them or tell the cliche jokes, he was like a player. He's not in a relationship with anyone (from what I know of). When we talk, it's just a different thing. No cliche jokes or touching. Just face to face and all.
I feel lost. I've felt lost for so long. When did I not feel this way.
Any advice? Should I tell him? But if I tell him... I might ruin things with R... I don't want that to happen.

I know how this is. I've been afraid of telling a girl I like her because I never wanted to get hurt from the rejection. But since your friend likes the same guy as well, I recommend you just lay low for a bit. Then, ask your friend if you could have a shot at the guy. If he says no, don't worry about it; although this might be a bit painful to deal with, you'll find another. I've been through the same thing, not one but a few of my friends liked the same girl at the same time; you just have to ask them about it. Be mindful of what they feel. If your friends say yes, go ahead and confess to him. If no, give them a chance first. If it doesn't work with your friend, ask her if you could confess to him. That way, you won't ruin things with your friend, she would hopefully understand that you like this guy this much, but want to maintain the friendship both you and her have.

>>2 I have a slight feeling (Girl instinct-like thing)that he isn't really interested in relationships (because he hangs with girls a lot, probably attention). I just noticed that J and I are a little like opposites. He's loud. I'm not. Lots of friends. Small group of friends. But (just wondering) did you ever tell the girl you liked?
I was talking to R again. We started off talking about school and such. Then I asked her how much she liked J (can't really explain it). She said that she just wanted to like him from afar. Not dating or anything. I knew what she meant. Never going to tell him. So then I got curious and asked her how'd she feel if J was dating someone. She replied saying that she'd be alittle unhappy, but didn't really care and wouldn't do anything about it.
Being the kind of person I am, I got intrigued. I took her words seriously. I supposedly told her that J was already dating someone... (I was just playing around with her thoughts).
She kept insisting me to tell her who (I told her that it was someone in the class). I then told her in one simple sentence "Me."
She replied pretty awkwardly. She was shocked. She CARED. I told her that I was just joking about him being in a relationship. She admitted that she actually fell for it.
Heh... I have my ways of getting the truth. I always have a trick or two up my sleeve. Do I sound like a bad person by... playing? her like that? Also, earlier she said that she didn't want to ruin their friendship (by telling him).
Just curious, but what happened to you?

>>1 Acting like a player and being a player are two different things, maybe find out whether or not he's a real player, but from what you've said he doesn't sound like one, just a guy who's charming. Have you ever considered the fact that he might like you? He acts differently around you, that's a sign. He did ask you for how you felt about him, guys occasionally do that to see if they have a chance with the girl. Everyone is afraid of getting hurt. You really need to overcome that fear, if you don't then you might end up alone. I hate to say it, sorry. But love is a gamble, you can't win unless you bet, so bet possibly getting hurt and maybe you'll win the jackpot of love. Just don't let it consume you, and remember wounds do heal if you get hurt.
Talk to him about it, tell him that you like him and are wondering if he felt the same way. If he doesn't then you'll at least stay friends.
As for your friend... You're not her best friend right? You can be a little selfish once in awhile. She probably will never tell him, so tell her that you really like him and want to confess but don't want your relationship to be ruined. And you did joke about it, which was kinda mean, but she didn't stop talking to you right? She stayed your friend which is a great thing. But to make it up to her, if J doesn't feel the same way about you as you feel about him then set her and him together instead. If he does feel the same way about you then help her find a nice guy too. It's just an idea but I hope that it helps :3 good luck~!

>>3 Well, since you're asking, I did. Sort of. I wrote an extremely long paragraph in a text and left it that way. My friend wanted to send it to her, so I let her. Later the girl I liked said she wanted to be friends and that she didn't really know me. I didn't really know her either, but for some reason, I really did like her. A lot. Maybe because she was shy, she didn't talk much, and I mean, she was just different to me. The girl I mentioned in the last post, well, we just ended up as friends, and well... the rest was history. But the girl I like now, I just really want to get to know her, basically get closer to her. So yeah, everyday I'm just thinking about that one girl. So..... Yup.

>>5 I feel like that shy girl would be missing out if she never got to know you better. You seem pretty nice :)

>>4 You're right, it is two different things. I wasn't sure of which word to use (I wasn't thinking of "charming" at the time though). My relationship with R is still the same. I feel like our relationship got stronger. Maybe, I've once thought that maybe he liked me, but I didn't think it'd be possible.

So I talked with R today. She still hasn't told him her feelings yet, but I've been supporting and helping her. They finally talked to each other online and all. I told her a few days ago that I told J that I had slight feelings for him. She told me that it was okay (I didn't tell her first, but I didn't think he took me seriously).
And so I helped her today. We talked for atleast an hour online. And I then told her that I'd send him a message (not one telling him my feelings). I sent him an apology letter (though I should've told him in person, but that wouldn't be til Monday or Tuesday and I just couldn't wait for that long). It was pretty long. I said sorry, that I was being reckless and so on (in the past). Now I just have to wait for what he'll say...

Thanks a lot for your advice, I feel better now! You two are really helpful :)