Should I listen to my brain or my feelings?

(I'm not confident with my English so I used chatgpt to translate and make my text more readable. There is TL;DR at the end)

So, during our final year of school, my classmates and I became really close. We ended up forming quite a big friend group. Some of them are my best buddies, some I barely knew before, and there's maybe one person I don't always enjoy being around (my ex). But whenever we all get together for parties or trips, everyone gets along really well.

Part of our group went away for a weekend by the sea. One evening, one of my friends and I got a little drunk. Eventually everyone started going to bed, and then I remembered that one of the girls in our group had wanted to go for a run, but nobody wanted to join because everyone was tired.

So, being the drunk idiot I was, I asked, "Want to go for that run?" It was around 1 a.m., and she actually said yes.

We ended up jogging about 5 km at an easy pace, talking the whole time. When I'm drunk I never shut up, but when I'm sober I'm much more introverted.

After the run we started walking back. It took quite a while, and I realised the sun would be coming up soon, so I suggested we go watch the sunrise on the beach. She agreed again.

We stopped by the house to grab some drinks and a blanket, then headed to the beach.

We talked about all sorts of things, but mostly our past relationships. I told her about my ex, who broke up with me after being together for two years and the saying she "needs to find herself" and "isn't ready for a relationship", even though after like a week she already was kissing another guy. That experience completely destroyed my trust in relationships. Since then I've kept telling myself I'm better off staying single because relationships just end up hurting me.

Then I asked about her. I knew she'd had a boyfriend before, and she opened up even more than I did. In the end she said she's also happy being single now, but she still misses him sometimes.

Around 7 a.m. we realised everyone else would be waking up soon, so we walked back. On the way she told me that this had been the best "side quest" she'd ever had, and she's had plenty of adventures.

We slept for about two hours, packed up, and drove home. That day I barely talked to her because I was exhausted and hungover, and she didn't really initiate anything either.

After I got home, though, I couldn't stop thinking about that night. I'd lie awake replaying it in my head, thinking about how much fun we had and how naturally we got along. I'd even picture us sitting on the beach together, with her looking at me with her beautiful yellow eyes.

Then I thought...

"Oh no... do I actually like her?"

My brain immediately said no. I don't want to get hurt again. I don't want to ruin the friendship we already have. I'm perfectly fine being single...

At least that's what my brain keeps telling me.

My heart seems to disagree.

Because of her, I discovered I actually enjoy running, and I've taken it up as a hobby. When she found out, she was really supportive. But outside of that, I don't really feel much initiative from her. We don't talk much unless I send an interesting Snap or she's been drinking. That makes me wonder what kind of friend I actually am to her.

Eventually those feelings faded a bit because we didn't see each other for a while.

Then graduation happened.

After the diploma ceremony we had another party. The weirdest thing happened that day. Before I even left for the party, someone who had literally seen her for the first time at graduation told me, "You two would actually make a great couple."

Then later that same night, one of my close friends from our friend group at the party basically said the exact same thing and even explained why. 😭

After that, all those thoughts came flooding back.

Now I keep lying awake wondering what I'm supposed to do.

I'm terrified that if I asked her out and she rejected me, then there would be two awkward people stuck in the same friend group instead of one. I really don't want that—especially with her. Everyone in the group likes her and gets along with her.

Even if she said yes, what if we eventually realised we weren't actually compatible? Then we'd still end up in the same awkward situation.

I also think I'm genuinely scared of being hurt again. My last breakup absolutely wrecked me.

But the truth is... I really like her.

I want to spend more time with her.

And I'm scared that once summer ends we'll all go to different universities or colleges and stop seeing each other regularly. I'm pretty picky when it comes to dating, and I generally struggle to meet new people, so this feels like one of the few chances I might ever get.

So now I'm stuck between listening to my head or listening to my heart.

TL;DR: During a late-night run and sunrise with a girl from my friend group, I realised we have amazing chemistry. Ever since, I can't stop thinking about her. My brain says not to risk the friendship or get hurt again after a painful breakup, but my heart wants to try before we all leave for different universities. Would you take the risk, or just stay friends?