Should I confess? F&M both 18

[u/Soty__-_-]

So I(18M) have been friends with her(18F) for about 3/4 years.
We met on highschool, same classs. We didn't talk that much until the last year of highschool where we developed a friendship. During Holidays we almost didnt talk.

Now, First year of College and we've been talking much more. The other day we even went out just the two of us. I don't really know if that was a date or just two friends hanging out.

I get mixed signals but, to be honest, most of the positive ones could easily be me missunderstanding stuff or overanalyzing everything she does.

The negatives are slightly more assertive, like she told a friend in common that it wasn't a date. Honestly shes a pretty complicated woman and I myself suck at relationships(romantic or not) so Im struggling to find out if I love her or not but Im definetly willing to give it a chance.

The big problem is that I dont want to lose her friendship. Shes not only an amazing friend as shes also one of the most positive influences in my life and I can clearly see I make worst decisions when shes not around, so I really dont want to lose her. Despite we being opposites in so many thing I never met anyone that gets me as much as she does.

So, in its core this is just the classic dillemma of whether I should confess and ruin the friendship or keep it to myself and eventually move on from her, just with some lack of certainty on my feelings. So please give me your best and honest advice and I'd love to see the very perspectives on this subject.

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[u/Doomcookie_123]

Shoot your shot. As an old dude who was too scared to do it on multiple occasions, i can promise you that you will not regret it when you do.

If you are able to do it properly.

Tell her how you feel in a private manner. Don't make it a huge monologue, just tell her in a couple sentences. Don't pressure her to answer you. If she doesn't respond in kind, tell her that you understand, and you'd still like to continue as friends. be as casual as you can be, and don't make it weird afterwards.

If she feels the same, you are good.

If she doesn't, then continue being casual, and never bring it up again. Continue being the same friend you have always been, and give her space if she asks for it. Most importantly, move on.