So I have known this girl for about a year and a half. We started out as friends but as we got to know each other more and more we became quite close. By chance we ran into each other not to long ago at a mutual friends place after not seeing each other for around 3 months and got talking, we ended up spending a lot of time together, talked a lot, and the night ended positively on a whole. A few days later she invited me around to where she was staying at the time saying "there was nobody else was around and was feeling lonely" Again we just talked and played a bit of pool, but it felt like we had some sort of connection. I then proceeded to ask her out one night but to my surprise she declined saying that she "didnt have enough money" I took this as an excuse not to go and I didnt feel it was wise to offer to pay...so things were left awkwardly you might say. After around 3-4 weeks of no communication (I think due to the fact we both knew something wasn't right) she all of a sudden started to constantly text and message me via msn so I went along with it. After a while she suggested I visit her in her home town which is around a 3 hour drive from where I am. At first I didn't think I would but she seemed really keen for me to go down and see her, and I had the spare time so I figured why not. Things didnt go how I would of liked, I drove down, things were going really well at first for example when I first turned up she had clearly gone to a lot of effort in her appearance for the casual nature of what we had planned (dvd 's and some dinner at her place) We went and got the movies then got back to her place, from here on in it just gets worse. We sat down to watch them and there was just a real lack of physical closeness between us, I was sure after how forthright she had been in getting me to come down she would be more confident but she was just staying on her half of the couch and not really engaging with me, she just seemed happy to be watching the movie. My confidence was then depleted because of this and I didnt feel I could make the first move (pathetic). The rest of the night together was just spent with minor flirtatious behaviour between us but nothing to really take note of. When the movies ended she said that I was welcome to sleep in her housemates bed because she was out for the night. She walked in to the room, showed me where everything was, kind of lingered around but again neither of us made a move because (I think) we were both unsure of how we both saw each other in terms of friends or something more. The thing is just as she was leaving she said "I cant believe you actually came" now...what was that supposed to mean? did she just blurt it out in a awkward panic or what? this bothered me as it made me feel unwelcome and weird. The next day we just spent more time together, seemed to get on really well talking about various people and on a whole it was really nice. As I was leaving there was another awkward pause as I (and I think her) were unsure of what goodbye was most appropriate given the circumstances. Things were left at a hug and that was it. When i returned home. Things got a little weird after this again and we werent talking as much as we were. I was confused at this because I thought if she was under the impression we were just close friends she would have no reason to be upset, and if she was in fact into me maybe she is upset because I didnt make a move. But why then had she not made any moves on me at her place.

Things quietened down but we remained in contact. I might also add that before I went to visit her we were both aware we would be spending a lot of time together in the next few months due to our work. (same area)

I have seen her a couple of times now at social gatherings since and every time she has approached me at least 2-3 times and has been really nice even when she has had the option of talking to people she has known longer or may be closer to, which I would think suggests a certain level of comfort around me.(without me even having to call her over or whatever). I noticed we were making a lot of extended eye contact and she was making remarks about what I was wearing (according to mystery if I am not mistaken is a sign of interest?) while talking to other people etc also. Now here comes the troubling part, I asked her to come out to the movies with me and some friends after we had gotten on so well at these events and again said no reason being she was too tired and didnt feel like it. Disheartened and confused I decided that the ball was in her court. Again at another gathering we were both at she was being really friendly and encouraging (came and sat down really close and talked for a while) so afterword I texted her and asked her to call me if she wanted to come out with me if she didnt have work the next day to which i recieved this "soz bud but i am working tomorrow " ....notice the use of the word "bud" very confusing...and again after something very similar happening the next weekend I asked her out again, I asked of she wanted to come out with me and a friend for some drinks. She said "yeah maybe but only if its later..what time?" I said that we would be getting some dinner but i'd text later" I then ran into her as she was leaving when I was getting dinner with my friend. She seemed really cool and told me to text her later. I did so but didnt recieve a reply. I then proceeded to call her and she said she wasnt going to come out but next time.

That brings us up to where I am now. I am hoping this gives an accurate description because I am really, really confused. I just dont understand her I guess because I would have thought if she wanted me as a friend she would have no reason to decline my invitations given there is nothing threatning that would trigger her defence. And on the other hand if she was interested in me I would have thought she would have leaped at the idea of spending the time together but I am also aware that maybe the fact other people were involved may have turned her off(?) Her interest hasnt really dimmed since I have made these advances on her but it hasnt picked up either so I am interested to hear your guys take on this. Any thoughts are appreciated because I am out of ideas on her haha.
sorry for the length I just wanted to give an accurate picture.