Is this boy interested in me?

Okay so im 14. There is this really cute boy (hes a bit shy) that I've gone to school with for a while but i've JUST started talking to him. The thing is, he flirts with me AND my friend, but hes been friends with my friend for a long time, and he knows that she has a thing with someone else. She doesnt like him. Anyways, we were at a pool party the other day and he started tickling my friend and out of no where he asked me if I was ticklish and tried to tickle me. He will come up to me and my friend and will start talking to her and then look at me get quiet? Im so confused. Does he like her more? Sometimes we catch each others eyes and smile and laugh. And when he left the party we were at a few nights ago he came up to me and said bye and hugged me. And i dont know him too well. HELP. Im just confused.