[update] Long-term boyfriend. Real. One of the times "I have a boyfriend" actually means something (and she never said it). So they do exist.

[edit3] Not new here. Been spinning plates for 9 months and reading for 12. I have plates, I'm asking this not because I need this one but because I hadn't met this form of resistance. Just trying to learn; the hostility is unnecessary.

Got her number, girl in my class, after we studied for a test and she threw me many IoIs. I was aloof, push/pull, easily the leader of the group conversation.

She initiated text, (who is this again) asked for my name, shit test. Amused mastery, something like "sexy guy in my X class", then she went cold correcting my grammar (incorrectly). I teased, finally caved and explained it to her. She responded "I knew it". Amused mastery the next day, no response.

She had mentioned her bf cheating on her and the past few days being hard on her, I ignored it at the time because I didn't have a non-supplicating response. On Valentine's day (seemed perfect) I messaged her, offering revenge. She said yes, asked for ideas, I said I have a few, is your roommate there, she went cold again. I ignored it as a shit test, disclosed a few ideas (Netflix and smoothies), she responded, I let it hang. After a few days, she responded about tv shows she likes.

Ignored her for a day in class, talked to other people, she watched. Next class period, she dropped IoIs, shit tested, at the end I invited her to lunch (I'm going to X if you want to come), she abruptly left the conversation. I went to talk to another girl in the class.

I waited days, brief response, to which she responded, I escalated mildly this time. She said stop, its too much. Didn't back down, she asked me outright to stop texting her. (Context: We've sent about 20 texts each, never more than two sentences, in 10 days.)

I've never had a girl ask me to cut contact.

[answered]Why is she hot and cold? Did she not really want revenge and just wanted male attention and to get back with her bf? Or have I messed up somewhere else?

She's an 8, I'm an 8 (physically, I always get 5s-7s off tinder, occasional 8). I'm all but moving on. I could go silent for 1-2 weeks, then reply "whos this" or something similarly assholeish after a while (should I go amused mastery instead?). [answered]

[New question] Could I have done anything better, like fucked her once before getting back together with him? Could I have done it in a shorter time period? (Not on Valentine's day, and less texting have been mentioned, for creating scarcity.)

[edit]
Yes, yes, logistics only. I was texting for meetups and getting shit tests. I guess I'm supposed to ignore text shit tests completely?

2/3 rule doesn't work on Tinder (before meeting). I guess I just rely on my classroom game and be patient. No problem, she's just practice.

[edit2]
Thanks for your responses. In summary, hot/cold is exactly the best I could hope for because she had a boyfriend and was still emotionally engaged, so I'm the guy who gives her those feelings if she starts looking again. Asking me to stop texting is her choosing not to ignore me and not as an orbiter and validating my position in her mind. Groundwork built.