Do I have any chances with this girl?

Hey everyone. I'm 18, love shy, and have never been in any relationship.

I fell in love with this really cute girl at college, less than half an year ago. We didn't talk much to each other at the beginning, but as time passed by, we'd be talking more and more and I'd spend days with her studying at a library (that's what she's into, I don't know why, but it's actually good as I can enjoy her company and learn at the same time). She's really friendly and my feelings for her only got stronger as we got to know each other better. I didn't want to ruin our friendship, so I never spoke about this to her or any of her friends. She was also really awesome giving me emotional support when my parents split up. She'd also compliment me once or twice, about my new glasses or my new haircut, but I don't really know if I'm any special for her, or if she just compliments everyone... We'd also spend a few hours a day chatting to each other online, but sometimes she takes 30+ minutes, or even a day to answer. I thought for a while I was being used to solve her questions about our classes but I realized she's been helping me a lot too, maybe even more than I've been helping her. Once, we shortly grasped the concept of love and she said she hates it due to past experiences, while I said it gets me desperate and I'm never able to get anything out of it. Not sure if I should've said that to her...

Anyway, we seemed to be getting along just fine, everytime I said hi to her, she'd always greet me with a big smile and we'd be smiling to each other a lot during most of our conversations. It really seemed like there was some chemistry there, but recently she started to avoid talking to me for no apparent reason, both in classes and on the bus when she passes by me. Also I suggested we'd study together at a specific place whenever she went there and she said sure, but the next time she went there she told me nothing about it. I'd ask her what's going on, but I'm too shy and it's like I inconsciously avoid her too... None of her two closest friends at college talk to me either, and I'm also too shy to ask them about her, it would probably give my intentions away. I spend the whole day fantasizing about her, not in a sexual way, but kissing, holding hands, hugging, stuff I'd be able to do if I were her boyfriend.

This got me crazy and depressed about what the hell was going on, and why couldn't I talk to her, got me jealous whenever she talked to another boy and recently I started showing symptoms of depression such as loss of weight due to loss of appetite, crying randomly for no reason, suicidal thoughts, difficulty to concentrate, taking hours to sleep and waking up much earlier than I actually have to (6 am), very little energy to do anything, headaches and feeling like a failure. I also showed up to class with fever once just to see her but she just wouldn't seem to care about my headaches and kept happily talking to her friends. I know I'm making this problem to be much bigger than it actually is, but being as shy as I am, I'm not going to get this close to any girl for the rest of my life and she looks perfect to me. We're working on a project together, so eventually she'll have to talk to me.

I have no idea of what to do though? Should I try to avoid her (although I can't completely avoid her, we're in the same college, in the same school year, doing the same project), should I try to keep her as a friend (although I can't go through this again without going crazy), do I have any chances to form a relationship with this girl?

It may be possible. It does not sound real promising but then the dynamics of relationships are a case by case basis.

If not, then take it as a lesson. Figure out what went wrong and do not repeat the same mistakes in the future. This goes for everything in life.

And also you are 18. NOW is the time to form loving relationships. Your prospects are still single and good looking. 18 is not a time to be worried about a lifetime alone. The time to worry is when you get my age (40) and everyone is one or more of these problems - raising young kids, getting fat, balding, sagging, sick, jaded, recluse, depressed, wants a relationship but doesn't want to make any effort, and in the worst cases - still seeking their parent's permission to date certain people (sad, isn't it?)

Intentions - Did you ever mention something huge here! When you want to go out with someone, you need to establish from the get-go that this is your intention. That is the best way to avoid that whole "friend zone" bullshit. Someone knows you want to date. If they accept, you have done your job. If they reject, it means no more wasted time on that person.
Any type of relationship needs to be established real fast.

So wit all that - you probably do not have much chance with that girl but take the lesson and go on the hunt. Easier said than done but if you do not try, nothing will happen. If you try but fail, at least you can know you made an effort.