My relationship ended a month ago.but I still have trouble letting go

Let me tell you the story...I met a girl through a friend of mine around August. She's 17 and I'm 18. We started talking and became friends and grew very close. She always told me how I was so handsome and how she missed me when she was gone, and whatnot. We started dating in December of 2006. I asked her out and she accepted. We grew close and she eventually told me about her past. She was raped and because of this had HPV. She had also done drugs, alcohol, and smoked extensively as a young kid. But when she told me, I had no clue. She was a completely changed person. Of course I accepted it because I was falling for her, and she told me I was the best guy in the world. She was everything I could ask for in a girl...pretty, smart, outgoing, quirky...just the most unique person I'd ever met.

Anyways...Things progressed on and I met her parents and extended family in the upcoming months. They all seemed to like me and my girlfriend seemed to really like introducing me to her family. Unfortunately, her family had its problems. Her parents were divorced and her mother abused drugs and alcohol. Sometimes she'd come home and trash the house and even beat my ex girlfriend up. This was disturbing to me, but luckily she moved in permanently with her dad.

Around the end of February she started seeming a little distant with me. I really didn't think much of it because her school work was getting extensive and she had a lot on her plate at the time. We spoke on the phone every night but I didn't see her that much during our last week together. Eventually, one day she called up and gave me the "It's not you, it's me" speech and said she needed to figure some stuff out right now as a single girl. Apparently there was some problems within her family (sister went to jail, mom was threatening her dad, etc.), college applications were flying everywhere, she had the ACT and SAT to prepare for, AP tests, etc. I told her that I understood and that was it. I immediately went to NC. I haven't talked to her since. I believe it happened on February 25.

I took it really tough the first week. I cried a lot and questioned what happened. If it was something I did, and if her reasons were just BS or not. Eventually I started getting over her but not completely. I still have thoughts of her a lot but not as much as I did.

This past week she was talking to my friend (who initially set us up) and she was asking about me. She asked if I had a new girlfriend, how I was doing, and to tell me she said hi and that she still wants to be friends with me. She also said she felt terrible for breaking up but she had to do it at the time.

I find myself in a dilemma again. I was recovering, but now her questioning about me is giving me hope again (I know I shouldn't build myself up with false hope, but I can't help it). It shows she's thinking about me and probably misses me, which is great. But then again she could just be being nice, but why would she care if I have a new girlfriend or not? Does she want me to give her a buzz to catch up and see what's going on? We didn't end it on bad terms at all.

I need some help from the experts here!