Short back story-- I attend college, and a girl (K) in all of my classes (same pre-med classes) and I are very, very close. We study together all of the time, are flirty, and have great undeniable chemistry. I have been hesitant to ask her out since I have to be close to her the next year or so regardless. Anyway, my question is: a mutual friend of ours got lunch with her recently, and while at lunch apparently asked how (K) felt about me, what she thought about me. Apparently her words verbatim were "I want to be interested, but I'm just not right now". She is currently in a relationship that she's trying to get out of... so I know that can be a factor. I feel like if she wasn't interested at all--she would have told our friend (she has no reason to lie). Our friend told me she thinks (K) doesn't want to be in a relationship at all right now. What do you guys think? I'm having trouble decoding this lingo! Thanks :)

Gee, I don't see how it could be any more clear! Of course it's possible to 'want to be interested' yet put it on hold and just enjoy the flirting. Take it at face value. She means it. (I suppose something like this is easier for a woman to understand than for a man, I don't know?)
School is a lot of work, premed is even more work, getting out of another relationship might be even more work. Be patient and continue to enjoy what you have. You can find out little clues from her directly as you go, occasionally asking her a few not too personal or involved questions about the other guy - or just continue to get your info second hand as you have been.

She is currently in a relationship that she's trying to get out of... so I know that can be a factor

Ya think?? This is the only thing you should consider, and its quite easy,

Talaniman Rule- leave girls with boyfriends alone, and don't hold your breathe waiting for them to fail.
Talaniman Rule- If one person isn't available, there are millions that are. Don't get stuck on one who is BUSY with other things.

Talaniman Rule- Get your own partner and leave the other peoples partners alone.

Talaniman Rule - Don't miss other opportunities and options because your stuck on someone who is not as stuck on you, that's just plain crazy.

Talaniman Rule- Be honest with yourself, and be honest with others.

Any healthy guy can be attracted by a female when always in proximity to her, but this one is unavailable to you romantically, so don't act on your own intense feelings because at this time they would be selfish and self serving and make a lot of confusion in both your lives.

Why? That's simple too, since even if you succeed in going out and establish a romance with her , without the benefit of a proper healing between relationships, this will b a rebound, going from one person to the next, without time to recover from the first guy and all they have been through. Not a good way to start a relationship with anyone because, it may be a long time before her healing is complete, and she is healthy enough for a healthy relationship.

Cool your jets fella, and avoid the emotional fallout of trying to get with an emotionally unavailable female.

Do keep it just friends, and let the friendship grow, built on honesty, trust, loyalty, and caring, and you never know where that will lead. But in the meantime, forget the romance, and let things take there natural path, and get your own thing to do and enjoy, without her.

We humans maybe can't help having feelings, but we can help what we do with those feelings. So don't hurt yourself.

I just think you need to flirt with her more, get to know her and when her relationship ends maybe after a week or two tell her how you feel, nothing to loose.