Can I please have a guy's input?

You are going to have to summon the courage, or whatever emotion you have and talk to Fred. He could be gay for all you know at this point. lol. Unless you actually speak to him and find out what he thinks about you, you will never know. You could find out in one sentence he is an idiot and will not want to take it further. The torture isn't worth what the facts could reveal. Go say, "Hi" and take it from there.