<human>: Provide a brief overview of the text.

I have known this girl for years and have never been interested in her romantically until just last year. I have never been in a relationship before(aside from some middle school flirting ;P) and I am seriously interested in asking this girl out.

I have been over to her house with friends for various occasions before and just last weekend, I had her and our group of friends over for a scary movie marathon. One friend has the brilliant idea to make a blanket palette on the ground and for all of us to cuddle. By coincidence(possibly her intentionally?) I got a spot right next to my crush. Needless to say, it was pretty normal, but one scary part in particular, she hid her face in my arm and it was unbelievably cute. That night pretty much solidified the fact that I do have feelings for her and really want to ask her out.

This leads to my next part, how do I start this? We talk all the time in classes and everything, and I really don't know if she feels the same way back. I don't want to seem sudden by asking her out on the spot, but I don't want to keep her waiting if she feels the same way back.

Basically, what are some good ways to hold onto a conversation(talking to friends that are girls is easy for me, talking to girls I have feelings for, somewhat harder) and avoid/get around awkward pauses. Also ideas for dates are a huge plus. 

Sorry for the long post, first one on this subreddit, and hope that I followed the reddiquitte.
<bot>: I have a  huge crush on a friend that is a girl and need advice. Pardon any inconsitencies in the post, I pretty much typed it to get it off my mind.