How do i get out of the "friend zone"?

[stripy_tie]

Im gonna try and keep this as short as possible so please bear with me

First a bit about myself, im a pretty average guy. I wouldn't say im bad to look at but at the same time im not tom cruise or david beckam either. Physically im O.K but dont keep fit like i used to a couple of years ago due to a health problem which i wont go into but have recently resolved through prescription medication.

I first met this girl about 3 years ago now when she briefly came on a beach trip with our "group" (a loose collection of people, some of whom drift in and out with a core membership of about 10-15 people) and immediately liked her, we all had fun but i didnt see her again for another year when we all went to sixth form for a-levels. I'd say that within about 2-3 months i was head over heels in love with her. i love everything about her, her quirky nature, her dress sense, the way she does her hair even her handwriting.

Before i could find a way to articulate these feelings into something that sounded as non-stalkerish as possible and find the right social situation (e.g. one of our group parties or meals) so that i could ask her out she was kicked out of sixth form about a year into the course because she had to have an operation for a degenerative muscle problem in her right arm which would have meant her spending several months off sick on top of the several weeks worth of time off she had already been forced to take because of it.

After the op she became a virtual recluse for about a year and a half and while asking as subtly as possible after her health i could do little about the situation. Now however she's back and all those old feelings i tried to convince myself i had got over have come rushing back. I'm talking and laughing with her just like when we were at sixth form whenever i see her and over msn at nights. The crux of the problem is this, half of the group have places at uni and will be leaving for them in mid to late autumn while myself and the rest (including the girl) will be staying here. I already have a job which pays pretty well and the others are well on their way to finding theirs. If the group effectively shatters due to most of the people leaving there's a pretty good chance il lose contact with her again. This time for good.

Shortly before this however there is a group holiday both of us are going on comprised of two couples and six singles where we'll be staying at a villa for two weeks. If iv ever had a chance, this is it. Between then and now im going to start working out again and generally try to get closer to her but how do i get out of the "friend zone" and into a place where she might see me as a potential partner?

[cmacattack1]

This can be an opportunity to make your feelings known but don't put too much pressure on the situation and don't make this event the "make it or break it". You can come off as too strong or even worse too desperate if you make this into a big spectacle. Play this as it comes, keep doing what you are doing and I think you will know if you can get a little closer to her through this villa event. Try not to have your hopes set too high though, it's very difficult to just break out of the friend zone. It doesn't happen often. I'm not saying don't try, just expect the worst so you aren't crushed after and unable to be friends with her.

Also, if you don't have her number, this would be a good time to ask for it. You say you are afraid to fall out of touch, but if you have a way to contact her, you won't be able to fall out of touch. You can strike this up on your own and see her one on one outside of your normal group activities. This way you won't have to depend on group things to see her. Her interest on you outside of the group can really tell you if she's interested because sometimes things can get awkward when the groups not around (because some people are awkward like me, heh).