I need to be more confident. What can I do?

Question

In high school, there's this person I've liked for sometime. I think she likes someone else though, so I've decided not to tell her my feelings. However, I want to show her that I'm here, or seem like a really good friend.
But whenever I'm in class, and want to act like a friend, I either freeze; can't think of something to talk about; or mumble (according to her and a few friends who are around, so they either don't know I'm talking, or just ignore me) (my foreign accent doesn't help)
And whenever I DO manage to start a subject, she and her friends talk about it, but I can't get a single word in. I'm out in the cold. (ironically, I think she and the person I think she likes talk together about it). What can I do to improve my confidence? I just want to a friend for now, but I can't exactly do that the way I'm acting. I know I'm not confident. I don't want to scare her off. And if she DID know, she probably was not interested, as she said no when I invited her to a film due to work.

I tried finding out what she likes to talk about, but I haven't found anything. I know she likes Lord of the Rings. Her favourite book is The Celestine Prophecy. I got it the day later. However, I don't know if I should tell her. Wouldn't it seem weird that I got a book and started reading it after she said she liked it? I gave her a card for her birthday too. And, I have made a piece of music for LotR too, I just haven't given her it yet.

Thanks guys/girls for your advice so far. I really appreciate it. :)

OK, lets see what I'm good at

Video Games and Computers (OK, she's not into those, lol)
Music (Not sure if she'd like that yet)
I like helping people. Usually, I end up not being able to, but I always make sure I can do anything.
I like reading books, and read quite a few
I like movies too

Answer 1

To find self confidence you must appreciate the things you do well (school studies, fixing cars, furniture, art ect). You must know what you do well. Ask your good friends and your parents to tell you 5 things they really appreciate about you.

Make a list of the things you know are good about you. Look up the words morals and values and write what they mean to you. Then look up ethics and qualities and do the same.

In the end you'll have a pretty good idea of who and where you are, and what you may need to work on. The confidence will appear automatically!

Good luck!

Answer 2

I think before you look for a friend, lover, confidant etc. whatever it is you are looking for you need to get you right first. I think you need to look in the mirror and recognize the quality's that you possess and put out more for you and what you think and not others. U need to do more stuff in general for you and not doubt yourself for whatever reason u do.If we were put on this earth for people to like us a certain type of way why god made u the way u were?The question of the day is if you do get to know her/him the way you want to what is going to happen next? 9-10 she is going to see the flaws,doubt whatever feelings you possess for yourself and treat u the way you treat your self! My main point of this is that YOU come before anyone.

Answer 3

just include her in stuff you do, ask her to come along or invite her to it. nothing better than that. if she blows it off, who cares, keep asking and don't show disappointment...just talk positively about how she would have had fun if she came along. you are lucky you are in school cuz you can see her all the time. that is not trivial. she'll realize you are a good guy over time. meanwhile, meet other chicks!

Answer 4

i think that you should find something she likes to talk about. I mean, a girl really likes when a guy knows a lot about her.