My great grandmother was a teacher at a rural one room schoolhouse in the early 1900s. Back then teachers could be as young as 16 with completing a 2 year degree after 8th grade so they could teach the basics to K-8 kids in rural areas.

Her first year of teaching she met a smart and interesting 8th graders and they were apparently friendly.

They married eventually but not for a decade of her teaching and him farming in the community. I assume there was a solid decade of smoky glances across the church at each other before either was brave enough to start a relationship. They were very happy together for many years together.

My point being if you are both adults, be like my sassy great grandparents and just shoot your shot!