I don’t presume the worst. However, sending mixed signals to someone else is cruel.

And I’m not talking about friendliness. I’m talking about stuff like showing that you’re romantically interested in somebody, only to reject them because they are looking for attention, or do it for fun.

I’ll give you an example. Flirting or even sexting. Now, usually most friends don’t do that. At least in my eyes, it breaches an unsaid boundary, since you’re friends.

If someone was to be flirty with me or sext me, I will assume they are romantically or sexually interested in me. To get rejected in the end because they are sending mixed signals, is cruel, because it’s being dishonest about your actual intentions.