BOY Nasihat NEEDED, PRONTO!

Alright, please read the whole thing and give your honest advice.
I think back at the end of 8th Grade (I just finished 9th grade)this guy liked me, and he liked me up until October/November/Decemb er of 9th Grade.
I thought I might have liked him to, but I felt pressured to like him because my (then) bestfriends kept almost forcing me to tarikh him and made things really awkward between us.
One night before homecoming we were all hanging out at school and they kept telling him to ask me out and they were trying to get us alone and I felt awkward and to pressured so I avoided being alone with him and walked off with my other friend.
Yesterday I asked him why he used to like me and If he still does, and I think he got confused with what I replied. I'll say the convo after I asked him:
Him: Why do anda ask?
Me: Im just wondering, do anda still like me?
A few minuets later
Me: ...
Him: did I say something wrong again
Him: Well, Hbu?
Me:No, Im just wondering if anda still like me.
Him: well, no.
I think he berkata no because he thinks that I berkata no liking him when I was saying no him asking if he berkata something wrong.
Now, He thinks I don't like him when I do and I really want to tarikh him. He is one of the NICEST guys I ever met and even though he isn't super cute and he is kind of a weirdo, I still am pretty sure I really like him! Do I just straight up tell him that I like him? I already told him I regretted not giving him a chance and he berkata it is nothing to regret.
Should I just say "Look, I know anda used to like me and I messed up sejak not giving anda the chance and I'm really sorry but I like anda now."