Crush and how to deal

Okay so I've got a crush on this guy (first crush - I'm 17 and have been out with someone before but not had a proper crush, is that weird?) and I really want to get to know him properly be like a friend. I don't even know him that well I've just gotten to like him because he's very intelligent, strongly-opinionated and generally nice and polite but I have no idea if he's, say, just being okay with me but secretly doesn't like me at all but is too nice to say.
Do you think I should start trying to talk to him more and being nicer? And how would I go about that without having to force conversation on him?

Good advice lol.
Oh and btw magiccarpet I am totally behind you for the TSR Miss World.

You got all those details about her? You should be like a private eye.

:P i have my contacts. lol if there's a secret i WILL find out and know about it

but yeah. try flirting: but not until you know a lot about him/vvv friends with him. cos then i don't think it'll be as embarassing if he says no. (some people may think otherwise)

cos if u dnt kno him at all and flirt like mad: if he says no like there'll b massive repucussions around school (you're still in school, right?)

however, if you already know him you can just shake it off and people wouldn't think much of it: and you can still remain friends if it doesn't work out.