well thank you everybody for the help you've offered.
i came into this thread with a certain idea already. and i think this has enforced it.
we never get to really hang out except at school cuz she's always so busy. but last month i went to the musical "spring awakening" with my mom and i really liked it (although its definitely not a child's play lmao). i told her about it and she said she might be interested in going to something like that. SO....while in germany this past month, i got box seats to one of the performances in D.C. (fate would have it i saw it in baltimore, so i could take her to the one in D.C., right??).
im really hoping she likes it and if the chance arises, i think that will be the night i tell her how i feel. and i guess i'll just have to deal with the outcome no matter what.
i'll keep you all posted if the situation ever develops.