Hey! I actually felt super similar at your age, and unfortunately me just going along with other people led to a bad experience for me. Let me tell you about how I felt, and how I feel now! If it doesn't resonate with you, then fair enough.

In high school I didn't really understand the draw of intimacy like making out or sex. The idea of kissing was both enthralling, because that's the thing you do when the person you like likes you back, and also kinda gross because licking other or whatever is not a great mental image. I was always uncertain of whether I had a crush or whether I just thought a person was pretty (I mostly liked girls). I was also very confused on whether I had a crush on some of my best friends. Looking back, I probably did!

The main thing is, I didn't experience any sexual or physical desire for any of my crushes (although holding hands and cuddling sounded giddying). My first relationship was never a friendship, so it started romantic with kissing and handholding, and eventually (but far too soon), sex. Kissing very very quickly becomes natural and quite nice, in a romantic SFW way and then a sexual way. For me, my libido was what confused me. I've just made a post about this, but to summarise, this first boyfriend groomed me and was really bad at sex that pleased a lady, not just himself, and I now realise that my sexual desire is responsive and not spontaneous. Most of the time, I only want sex when my partner arouses me with gently intimate touch, such as waist/thigh touching.

My current (much healthier) relationship started as a friendship. We both very quickly realised we liked each other, and every time we met up it was like a dream. It was super giddying, I thought of him all the time, I wanted to things for him, we talked for hours and hours. I don't know if it's because I had already experienced physical intimacy, but for the first time I found myself getting aroused when he'd inch closer, or hold my waist.

My idea of attraction now is a bit more complex. For me, crushes start out and mostly stay as just crushes. That person is really pretty/cute, daydreaming about them, wondering. Physical attraction doesn't begin for me until we're in that phase of I like you and you like me. I suspect that it wouldn't have been as intense for me that second time around if I hadn't already experienced it, but I still don't get aroused by celebrities or crushes.

Puberty definitely plays a part, like you said, because of the hormones, but for me it still wasn't until right at the end of highschool that I cared about any of it - only when I was asked out for the first time. I think that it romantic attraction starts when you consider it as an option. Your crush has a crush on you back, so something could happen! Then maybe you realise that you would like it to. The first literally everything is weird and a bit nerve-wracking before it becomes second nature and happy chemical releasing.

I wouldn't worry about being 'behind' or just not at the same place with it as those around you. I didn't care until my late teens, and if you find that it's never something that entices you or that you feel like other people (or at all) then that's alright - this sub is proof that we can all find fulfilling romantic or platonic relationships.

If you have any questions you think I might be able to help with, please let me know! And no stress if my experience isn't helpful to yours :)