So I met this girl on Twitter a few months ago, during lockdown. In the last week or so, we've become really close, after I jokingly asked for significant other applications and she responded. We've been DMing every day very frequently, and spending lots of time together, talking about our shared interests. We're both girls, and both 16 years old, but I live in the UK, whereas she lives in the US, in a timezone 8 hours behind mine.
Yesterday evening, she asked me out. I panicked (I've never been in a relationship before or had any kind of romantic experiences) and basically said 'maybe'. I was so nervous and confused and I feel awful for not giving her an immediate straight answer, but I just don't know.
The thing is, I really want to say yes. She's a lovely person - we get on well and we have all the same interests and hobbies and likes. But I don't know if I like her enough to date her - I've only ever really seen her as a friend. At this point, though, I'm so desperate that I'm considering saying yes - I'm always complaining about being single, since all of my IRL friends are dating someone, and I hate being the odd gal out.
A couple of other issues:
a) This year is really important for me academically, as I'm doing my Higher exams, and I know LDRs can be super time consuming and a lot of hard work, to keep up with communication. I don't know if I have the time and energy to dedicate to that.
b) I have absolutely no idea how I would break the news to my parents, and they would DEFINITELY disapprove of the relationship.
c) I'm still a little concerned about the safety of it all... we've never met, probably never will (not for a few years, anyway, and I don't see it lasting that long). The entire relationship has been online. Is this some elaborate credit card scam from a 50 year old bloke sat in his basement in Norwich, or...?
Any and all help is greatly appreciated, thank you so much for your time!