I like a shy guy; what should I do? Help!?

I have feelings for this shy guy in class. He's shy in real life, but he talks a lot and is really friendly in texts and Facebook. We are good friends, but we don't really talk now because out seats are far apart. I checked online, and realized the things he does sort of matches those which a shy guy will do around the person he likes:talking less to her than most girls, talking by saying random stuff and kind of awkwardly etc. However, I have this feeling that he doesn't like me. I talk to him most of the times through Facebook and texting and sometimes, when I try to approach him like talking to him when he is down and telling him he's awesome or cute and stuff, he will change the topic. Like for example, I posted on his Facebook wall, asking him if he wants to talk together since he's feeling down, like me(we often communicate like that), and he says "You should talk to your best friend A___ instead" etc. I get very dejected and feel rejected by him. This has happened time and again. I want to forget him, but I can't. I know it's because I still believe there's hope. I want to confess to him, so he can either accept or probably reject me(which will hurt me but will probably make me fully give up) but everyone discourages me from doing so. I really feel like confessing but I'm not that brave. And I'm scared it will give him a bad impression of me, like I'm a really direct girl or something. What should I do?