when i was 16 in high school i knew a slightly younger girl (14.) usually i was able to read another girls mixed messages pretty well but hers was a little more difficult. she would get close and start flirting and when i flirted back she would shy away. then during class one day during 3rd period she asked me how old i was, when i said 16 she said i was too old. after that i was almost convinced she did like me. but when that subject came again she would do her best to say she didn't like me. (up until graduation i never really had a difficult time making friends with girls but now i'm lucky to talk to one.)