That seems risky to me, just telling her strait up. Since she can't date yet I have to think that would make things awkward between the two of us, harder to communicate, and that's definitely not what I want. Hopefully when I see her in person again this weekend I'll be able to get a better grasp on just how she feels towards me, and if she wants anything more than friendship.

Really though, how big of a problem would it be if we became good friends before starting an actual relationship?