Me [18 M] started to fall in love with [18F] friend of 2 years. She just got out of a relationship with another friend [18 M] of us; and I think i messed up

Yep sorry for throway.

Ive liked this girl since like 1 year ago, but 3 months after she got into a relationship with this other guy. About 1 month ago they broke up and few days back i told her that I would like to take her to the cinema and that I like her and Id like to see where things go.

There was a roumor going on our circle of friends that said that I was like the subsitute of her now ex boyfriend. She said that she wouldnt be confortable with that if we had that date.

I told her that we shouldnt care; that we would be missing a lot if we didnt try it just because of fear.

In response of what I said, she replied "Dont tell me that, I dont want to loose you as a friend, youre one of the most special beings in my life, people like you are not easy to find" (we are very very good friends but I really think I feel the vibe of something else in her, but may be me being optimistic). Then she proceeded to tell me "One of the reasons that I broke with /the other guy/ is because of him being jealous towards you".

I never did anything to try to separete them, but this guy got angry everytime he saw us together. And now (with them not being anything) he even tries to get in between my conversations with her, or insult me in a very obnoxious and subtle (enough that others do not realise) way.

She told me that she needed time cause she just broke with his ex 1 month ago. This is the moment I know I messed it up, why didnt i realise that in the first place!?

School is about to end, and she told me to try to forget this talk we had, at least after the graduation. And that she needed to close circles (her finished relationship) before we could TRY to start anything.

I dont know if she just didnt want to straight tell me that she didnt like me in a romantic way by anymeans, or if she genuinely wants time and I have a chance.

Rigth know we both are playing it cool, I see her everyday at school, and text her every day just like before, and we just act like nothing happened. (Which makes me feel even more confused).

Should I wait till the graduation dinner party (in like a month) or try to retake the conversation before of that? Or is it a lost cause? Im open for anything.

Also we are both going to different colleges and I wont be able to see her as often

tl;dr: My [18M] friend [18f] cut my other not-so friend [18m] and 4 weeks after i told her i like her.