Recently Max (our neighbour’s son, 2nd grade) was watching TV with Ivan. Ana was overhearing the following short conversation between the young studs. Note the terse style of exchange.
Max: ‘Ivan, do you have a girlfriend?’
Ivan: ‘Oh no, that’s gross!’
Max: ‘Not for me either.’
On the other hand when Emma, one of the two girls who have a crush on Markus came by to sweetly ask Ana: “Could I have a playdate with Markus?” Ivan was all upset that girls never come to ask to have a playdate with him. Ana just needed to remind him about the fact that Grace was regularly writing him notes (recent one I have seen was: “Ivan you rock!”) and he was content again. So you can’t go with them but not live without them either.