How do I get a girl that is nervous to be in a relationship with me?

[itlnbuc]

I told this girl back in December how I felt about her. She said she really did like me too but was not looking for anything serious at the time for a couple of reasons. She ended the conversation though by saying "I hope you understand I am not crossing out the future between us". It has been over four months since that day and we have remained close ever since. We always have a great time whenever we hang out whether its with others or just us. We have a lot in common. We can talk to each other about ANYTHING. Her parents, especially her mom, LOVE me and I know she talks about me a lot because the first time I met her parents, they knew A LOT about me even though we had never met before. And she even nicknamed me "her teddy bear". The signs are there. I know she likes me and even a couple of her friends have told me. But she does not want to go to prom with me because she just wants to go with a casual friend. She thinks if we went, things would get weird between us and was nervous about me making a move on her and/or if I wanted to go as more than friends. I figured if I was just a friend, she wouldn't have any problems going with me right? She even backed out of formal with me back in December because she "knew she was not looking for a relationship" at the time and did not want to "create mixed feelings between us" (both her words).

Correct me if I am mistaken, but it seems like she does not want to be in a relationship because she doesn't want to ruin the friendship. I care about her and she cares about me but it's like she does not want to risk losing it by taking it to the next level. Is there a way completely win her heart or is it something that will just take time if it is ever going to happen?

[basilandthyme]

You are her "teddy bear". That's code for "friendzone"

I think she doesn't want to go to the prom with you because she knows it could lead you on. And you can't go as 'just a friend' because you ceased being that when you confessed your feelings to her.

But that's just from where I'm sitting. Perhaps your friends are seeing things which I'm not.