should i ask him out

okay most people would probably say yes, but it's a lot more complicated than it seems so i'll just give some context

back in 2023, when freshman year first began, I met this dude who I became really good friends with. we were friends for a good 2 months until he confessed, and I remember I didn't want him to like me at all because that would ruin our friendship, so I didn't really say anything back but I also didn't necessarily reject him. to this day I'm not even sure if I liked him but things were a bit flirty between us. we weren't necessarily talking or just friends if that makes sense? well anyways, yeah that lasted about 1-2 months and it turned out the whole time he also liked my best friend, and this other girl too?😭 so yea I got mad at him for telling me he liked me while also trying to get actively get with my friend, he tried victimizing himself, but whatever we still stayed friends and I forgot what happened after that. All i remember is a couple weeks after that I posted this guy and he started telling his friends about how he was mad because he "still liked me" blah blah blah and after that we pretty much just stopped talking... and I feel like he could've possibly missed his ex too while he "liked" me, but thats just my guess

well, during the end of the school year which was like april 2024, I remember I was walking in the halls and for the first time in my life I actually had a guy catch my attention, like he was super cute. i didn't realize it was my ex friends brother until I looked up close cause I don't wear my glasses✌️ but anyways I ended up telling one of my friends about my little crush and I asked him if I'm a weird person for feeling this way and he said "nah but likely you and him will never happen" and it hurt but I had to swallow the truth, but I ended up following him on instagram just to at least get to know him, and he followed me back. then i slowly started replying to his notes, stories, etc, and we're friends now! hes a cool dude. anyways those feelings did go away but it's really just a thing where its like yeah we're friends but if I had the chance to get with him I would.

Anyways a while ago I posted myself and he liked my story, and to be honest i got super excited like it's literally my junior year and i've been thinking about this dude since freshman year and I NEVER thought I had a chance cause I felt he was so out of my league, and this just changed everything.

I asked my friends on their views and they said it wouldn't be wrong if I tried because the whole situation with my ex friend was a long time ago now and I should just do it since he's a senior now and will graduate soon but I really just want the thoughts from other people. Should I try? If I ever were to, I would definitely tell him what happened cause I would like to be honest with him of course, I just don't want him to think im weird for it. but I also feel like that whole thing with my ex friend was just dumb and nothing I take seriously either, like I haven't brought him up at all ever since freshman year ended and neither has he, at least I dont think. and also my ex friends friend did have a crush on me and they'd talk about me and it didn't seem like he cared that it was me. thoughts?