Crush on bestfriend, help.

Genuinelly, I need some advice on how to move on from this crush that I (16) have had on my friend (17) since august of last year.

For context, I started developing feelings for them at the start of this school year and they have only worsened as we’ve grown closer. I currently see them quite frequently because during school we have lunch, one class, and theatre together everyday, they occasionally will drive me home, and we also text/call frequently.

I have already told them about my feelings since we are pretty close, and I knew it wouldn’t weird them out. Plus… I was HOPING that directly hearing they don’t feel the same way would help my feelings fade, however it hasnt. So moving on to the next attempt, I have been distancing myself so that im not being as physically affectionate as before, and I’m not constantly sitting next to them at theatre or working on the same things. However again, this really hasn’t helped at all.

I truthfully need to get over this, because I don’t want to cause a strain on our friendship, and I DESPERATELY want to be able to live in peace man. Regardless of what I do it seems like my feelings persist and my attempts are futile. This crush is meaningless torture.

If you have ANY advice or questions PLEASE let me know.