does he like me or is this wishful thinking?

Alright, so im in my senior year of highschool just to give some context. The guy, let's call Kai, is the twin brother of one of my best friends who we'll call Kara. Last year during junior year, we had a class together and we (we meaning me, my other best friend, who let's call Jenna, and 4 other friends.) He comes over and sits next to my friend, Carter, and me and Jenna were mentioning her crush during that time who we had nicknamed Strawberry. Carter was talking with us and laughing along at our delusions, and Kai comments "Is this what you have to listen to everyday?" Me and Jenna give him a quick look, but then go about as usual. A few moments later, he looks straight at me and says "I don't really like you."

Im the type of person who LOVES being liked by other people, so being perceived negatively upset me, and it had me upset for the rest of that day. Carter checked up on me multiple times and did so in front of Kai. Throughout the rest of the year, Jenna, Carter, and i constantly caught him staring at me, or we locked eyes. The last few months, Kai and I had actually gotten quite friendly, Kara was aware of the 'situation' as Jenna called it.

Now, in senior year, I'd say we're friends. We have a few classes together, and during those classes, i've caught him turning in his seat, glancing at me (sometimes even staring) and then turning back immediately when caught. There was an instance where I had gone to sit next to Kara during class as it was sort of a free for all for the day, and Kai who sat behind her, his eyes just followed me for a good minute. I was talking to a friend, Xavier, and he randomly inserts himself into the conversation, and as I was about to reply to him, we just stared at eachother for like 20 seconds and Kara and Xavier looked at eachother, then at us, then laughed. Jenna and I have noticed that he constantly inserts himself into my conversations, especially when it's other guys. Jenna says we have great 'banter' and that we're a book come to life. She also thinks we should explain it all to Kara (me and Jenna are closer and Kara is aware, this isn't a bad trio situation or someones left out, we love her soo much and she has her own best friends and life just to clarify.) We are pretty sure Kara is unaware of the situation.

Also i'm sorry for how poorly this was written and if you need more context ill give it to you guys.

Well, do you guys think Kai likes me, or am i just reading wayyy to much into this.