Teen crushes/relationship problems

Hey ppl I need some advice on the topic teen relationships. I’m 15 soon to be 16 and in year 10. There’s this guy at school who I have a close relationship with and want to go forward with it more. I’ve liked him for almost three years now ( in june ) and want to know if he does too.

Over the last couple of months I’ve noticed a change in him and noticed that he has been flirting a far bit. I’ve talked to my close friends and some who have viewed it and they reckon something is going on.

When I talk about flirting I mean nudging me throughout the hall ways and in class always try’s to make me laugh, a month ago we had a project together and during it he had placed his hand over the top of mine and soon noticed that I had seen and removed it but still keeping his hand close to mine, during class I Will always catch him looking over and when I look over at him he either smiles and looks away or turns away straight away, he will throw things across the room to get my attention sometimes, we were in assembly only just recently and I had to record something...soon after my friend who was next to me tapped me on the shoulder telling me he was watching me along with that the principal was talking about teenage friendships and those who mean the most to you and each time she would say bf/gf he would look over at me and smile. That is just a couple of things which have had and there has sure been lots of other things I could of added to the list.

The guys him self is really friendly and caring and I’m really what he is doing isn’t him just being friendly. I don’t exactly know. As I’ve said I’ve liked him for 3 years now and I really want to know if he likes me but I don’t have the confidence to ask and if I do and he doesn’t it will be awkward for both of us as we have a lot of commitment together and class and him knowing I like him will set him off from talking to me if he doesn’t like me in that way. Please help