Search Results: i didn''t get her number

I really want to get insight on how a girl feels about compliments so their are some levels to this question, and all opinions would be helpful.

For every comment, message, or compliment calling you good looking still flatter you? does it depend on who says it? Is it just small talk , nothing more than a thanks, hi's and byes'? Is it more meaningful when aimed at a specific aspect of your beauty, rather than just simply calling them good looking? How do you tell someone how much you find them attractive?

because the way one person sees another is subjective, so in theory, I may think you are more beautiful and desirable than the next man. Or is beauty not everything? because it seems like some go to great lengths to look good?

I guess my main question is, is it possibly more flattering to know that you are literally the most beautiful girl to someone versus who thinks you are beautiful among the many beauties coined by the community, or is it all about who says it, let's say random, regular people encountered, people you know, or someone you are interested?

This is a long story but ill try to make it as short as possible

Im a senior, she is a sophmore
I like her a lot and i told her last year

It was the first time we ever talked and i was pretty weird about it
She said she had a boyfriend (ik for a fact she didnt)
Back then i wasn't comfortable talking to girls still

After i asked her, she would stare at me and play with her hair and glance at me all the time but i never had the courage to approach her again

Its been a year since then
Were friendly now, but not friends yet
She gives signs she likes me sometimes

I think she was caught off guard last year or automatically said no cause she thought it was a prank or taken back cause we had never even spoke before

We talk every few days now, and i think she wants to get to know me better
She still stares at me a decent amount

I want to go talk to her about this and try again.

I want to make a joke about what happened last year, tell her i still want to get to know her, take things slow, and see where things go
Hopefully get her number / snapchat

So is this the right way to do it or it it better to slowly bcome friends first? Should i not mention last year at all? Either way, i just need some insight into whats going on here, what she's feeling, and what course of action i should take next.