Does this guy like me and how can i get to know him?

I like a guy in my school who may like me back. However we aren't really friends. Sometimes we have arguments. He says he likes me as a person but his friend told me that i am harsh to him. I really like this guy so I find myself getting defensive. This means we have no real friend relationship. He is a really sensitive guy. I emailed him to ask him if he liked me as a girlfriend and he said no. However i made it clear that i didn't like him back and was just seeing as my friend had told me he did. But i did like him. He told me that i was an undiscovered beauty but it may have been sarcastic. my friend told me he looks at me with bedroom eyes and i think sometimes he does to. I've seen him staring at me. He is quite flirtatious but i don't know if thats just the way he is. I want to be his friend but it is difficult. i think he likes me as his friend hints at it. but when i ask him outright the friend says no. I would really like an outside opinion. I'd also like to know how to get to know him and move on from the history and being harsh without weirding him out.