Boy problems help...?

okay, on im in 7th grade, and in 6th grade there was this guy in my homeroom, and hes a grade older than me. we became good friends and now we allways talk at school and text and stuff. my other friends call him a nerd, but hes not!! hes so nice to me and hes sooo funny....i really like him and i kinda think he likes me...buy im not sure!!! also, if we do and up dating, i dont wanna lose the friendship if we break up...cuz hes the kind of person i can see being friends with when im 45 years old. hes diffrent. do you know of any ways i could tell he likes me, and if he does, any advice? thanks soooo much