by Guest » Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:11 pm
The standard way to avoid LJBF is to add some sexual tension, or let her know that you think of her in a sexual way, perhaps by telling her that you are attracted to her.
The platonic friend requires "safety" in the sense that she doesn't have to worry about attraction. Like a brother. Don't let her have it. If you let her develop that safe feeling, and then try to break out of it, she'll see it as a big change, "I don't think of you in that way" and she'll try to force you into staying in the same platonic role. "I want to keep you as a friend."
It's perfectly normal for you to be attracted to her. She can't hold it against you. But it will disqualify you from being the "safe" platonic friend.
Now, from what you've said about your situation, I think you have some risk of LJBF-land, but I would say your bigger problem is it sounds like you don't have a lot of attraction. Silvermouth's suggestions are good, the only thing I would add is that coffee can sound like a 'date' so I would emphasize that you happen to study/hang out at a place that happens to be a coffee shop (or library), rather than have her join you [i]for[/i] coffee. Imagine if she were doing math at a coffee shop and invited you to come by and say hi, vs. if she invited you for coffee. Very different.
Talk about (or show her) things you like. If you like magic tricks and are truly interested in them, then show her. If you're into it, she will be able to tell. But if it's a contrived excuse to touch her hands or look cool, she will probably be able to tell.