LOVE and shyness

Dear Ms. April,
I hope you are having a great day. I’m sure you will be able to help me. Ever since we were in fifth grade, we gave signs to one another that we are really into one another. That feeling had been on and off. In 9th grade we used to have a little talk with our common classmates since the setting plan was on our favor. Now we are seniors very shy to approach one another. I see him talk to other girls but honestly, they had to initiate conversations and initiate friendships. He once told my friend that he is shy. I’m sooo shy too. No one is starting the first move. I once called him ‘by mistake’ I told him it was just a mistake. He was polite and gentle. One of my friends once told me that he looks at me and smiles while I laugh with my friends. Is he trying to manipulate me? Or is he waiting for me to take the first step? Should I take the first step and how? I wrote him a letter but I don’t think I can give it to him due to my extreme shyness. My heart goes wild and my lips don’t if i think about speaking to him. I forgot to mention that he tries to get close to me by befriending my guy friends. The only sign we give one another is eye contact. Thank you in advance Ms. April. I’m sure you will be able to help.