The strangest thing that could possibly happen is taking place and gaining momentum. I have the most unlikely crush that I could possibly imagine.

Me=raging liberal/feminist/punk rock diva/"My bush for president"/dyke

She=hardcore conservative/"I'm saving myself until marraige"/ultra-girly/stereotypically "STRAIGHT" girl

As an added bonus, her superjock boyfriend is one of my good friends. Wtf?!

Ok, I guess this didn't happen completely out of nowhere. I've known her for more than 3 years. When I came out in October, I was really really worried about her reaction (due to the whole obsessive-compulsive conservative deal), but she was really great about it...almost fascinated. She asked me lots of questions...haha. I saw her at a friends gathering a few months ago and she was...slightly intoxicated. And she asked me to make out with her. More than once. I've heard that straight girls do that when they're drunk, but she was really just a little buzzed...and I think she was using it as an excuse to explore her sexuality. Plus, most of the hetero girls who make out with each other do it so the guys can watch...and there weren't any guys around.

I've been spending a lot more time with her during the past few weeks. We've been studying together for final exams...but she keeps finding excuses to "study" with me when she doesn't really need any help. I kept getting the idea that she was flirting with me...but I don't trust myself. I could be totally making this up in my head.

So we've been talking a lot more, and I've discovered that we have a lot more in common than I thought we did. And she started to say things...really subtext-y things...that made me think that she liked girls.

I want to talk to her about it. Not because I like her, but because I know what's its like to have to conceal who you are. I know she loves her boyfriend...he's a great guy, and they're perfect together. But if she does have feelings for girls now and then, I want to reassure her and tell her that it's ok. She wasn't brought up in an environment where those things are accepted.

I'm worried that if I bring it up she'll completely freak out and deny it. I don't want to offend her...and I could be completely wrong about this whole thing...but I feel like I should at least say something in a sensitive, friendly way.

Problem: I only have one week to get the guts to talk to her. She's leaving for a foreign exchange program...and she'll be gone for 5 weeks.

So what do you all think? Should I say anything...and how the heck should I say it? And when?