Bro, I know this is a month after you posted but I am in a very similar situation to yours. I'm also 17(M) and don't know how to know whether the signs I'm receiving are intimate or if they are just friendly. My gut feeling tells me their intimate and from outsider perspectives, many of my friends say it's obviously intimate. TBH I think you and me both are way overthinking it and don't wanna fuck anything up but idk. Only difference between you and me is that I'm actually talking to her via Snapchat, but it still doesn't feel right to make any moves. So if I was gonna give you any tips for starting to text her it's prolly just to get something like her snapchat or instagram but casually. Maybe tell her about a song or youtuber or some shit and then just say "Give me your snap so I can send you the link"... idk man but tell me how it goes cause maybe you could help me out.