I can offer some common possibilities for his behavior:
Personal Issues: He might be dealing with personal problems, stress, or emotional struggles that are causing him to be irritable or distant. Sometimes people withdraw when they're going through difficult times.
Misunderstandings: There could be misunderstandings or miscommunications between you two that have caused tension in the friendship. Small issues left unaddressed can escalate and affect the dynamics.
Changes in the Friendship: Friendships can change over time, and people grow in different directions. It's possible that his behavior is a reflection of him pulling away from the friendship.
Jealousy or Resentment: He could be feeling jealous or resentful for some reason, which might be influencing his behavior towards you.
Other Relationships: Changes in his behavior might be connected to other relationships or friendships he's involved in. Sometimes, external influences can impact how someone behaves.
Boundaries: It's possible that something happened in the friendship that caused him to reassess boundaries, and he's now acting distant or mean as a way to establish space.
Testing the Friendship: In some cases, people might act mean as a way to test the strength of the friendship or to see how you'll react to their behavior.
Whatever the reason may be, the best approach is to communicate openly and honestly with him. Express your concerns and let him know how his behavior has made you feel. Approach the conversation calmly and without accusations. Be open to listening to his perspective as well. A sincere and non-confrontational conversation can often shed light on the situation and help resolve any misunderstandings or issues.
If he values the friendship, he should be willing to talk and work things out. However, if he continues to be mean and unwilling to communicate, it might be a sign that the friendship is not as healthy as it once was. In such cases, it's important to prioritize your own well-being and consider whether the friendship is worth maintaining in its current state.