So I Know This Sounds Like Those Stupid Soap Operas...?

I like this guy in my homeroom and he's in 2 out of my 4 cles (we're in 6th grade and one teacher teaches both reading and english and the homeroom teacher teaches spelling then we have science, social studies, and math). I KNOW that he likes me as a friend because he rides my bus also and he talks to me most of the time. Last year he dated my friend and after a while she decided she didn't want a boyfriend. This year she's become girlier and girlier to the point of her being a real brat. She wants to ask the boy out again but keeps arguing with herself, saying things like, "I want to date him, but I don't want a boyfriend." I don't know if this guy likes me or his ex and I feel that if I ask and he says no, I'll seem like a total idiot to him. What do I do???