I wish I were mature enough to "communicate" when I was 18.

It's not exactly related to your situation but my best advice going forward is to never date someone from your friend pool. If you are interested in someone you meet, let them know that from the start. Transitioning from friend to something more almost always shakes out to be a dramatic nightmare.

Don't be afraid to approach someone you are interested in, you don't have to wait for them to make the first move as long as you are open and respectful.

Honesty and communication beats the hell out of the emotional game-playing you see so much with people in their teens and 20s. You sound like you've got a good start on it and that really is the key to every good relationship.