Okay... there's this guy... =]?

Okay, there's this guy at my school that I really like, but I really don't know if he likes me. He's great and all, but I'm worried what will happen if we start dating and my friends find out. He's a great guy, but really, really weird. He's not that great looking either. I know this sounds shallow, but my friends can be merciless sometimes. I myself am not skinny, but not ugly. I just don't know what I want to do. Homecoming is up and I really want to ask him to the dance, but am also afraid that if I ask him and he says no it will ruin our friendship. I'm so confused. We're really good friends already, almost flirty friends. I don't know what to do! Please help!