<human>: I am in college, I have had a couple girlfriends, but those relationships were short lived. I strike out with girls very often because if I am interested I always become friends first and really get to know them, but then from there I always end up giving up on pursuing them because I learn who they like, or am constantly treated as just a friend. I know the friend zone is not really that prevalent a thing, but I actually end up creating it for myself because of how I choose to pursue girls I am interested in. I personally think that any relationship based on friendship will be stronger, but it just has not really worked for me. 

The situation I am in now is that I asked a good friend of mine to a Formal as my date, I am really interested in her, and she has now been single for almost half a year. When I asked her she was excited and happy to join me, but talking to a mutual friend, she made it clear we were going just as friends. How could I go about telling her that I am interested in her and didn't really ask her as a friend? I would just go out and say it, but I am afraid it could cause friction in my group of close friends.

Give me the gist of the text in a nutshell
<bot>: I asked a girl to a Formal because I am interested in her, she thinks we are going as friends, what can I do to make my intentions clear in a tactful way.