The playground dynamic of teasing and bullying can be confusing, especially when it comes from someone you like. I had a similar experience in middle school where the boy I liked would 'accidentally' knock my books over or mimic my laugh in front of friends. At the time, I thought it meant he hated me, but looking back, it was his awkward way of getting attention. Kids often lack the emotional vocabulary to express affection, so they resort to antagonizing behavior—it’s like pulling pigtails 2.0.
That said, not all bullying is a secret love language. If it feels genuinely hurtful or crosses boundaries (insults about appearance, spreading rumors), that’s a red flag. Healthy crushes shouldn’t make you feel small. Maybe test the waters by teasing back lightly—if they respond with laughter instead of escalation, it might just be their weird version of flirting. Mine eventually asked me to a dance by slipping a note into my locker with 'Sorry I’m dumb' scribbled at the bottom.