Just to say, I'm about 17 and in high school, obviously. There's a guy in my class in whom I'm VERY interested. He intrigues me and I can't figure out what makes him tick. I don't usually have trouble pleasing someone because after a few meetings, I instinctively know how to be a person they'd like. It comes in very handy sometimes. But this guy, I have no idea how to seem attractive to him, I have no idea how to appeal to him. He's incredibly nice and friendly, but I haven't talked to him much. He doesn't really talk much in class so he's not really the popular type. He's sort of the tall and mysterious artist, if you know what I mean. When I talk to him, it just seems so easy and I don't have to pretend to be someone I'm not, he's open and completely guileless. I REALLY want to get to know him better, but I can't really tell if I like him. All year, I've been refraining from liking anyone, I literally force myself to keep away because I don't want to be hurt. I've gone through quite a few rejections, but I've never made it to the point where I have a relationship and I'm now much too nervous to try. I've succeeded thus far with the refraining thing, but with this guy, I just can't. He's intrigued me all year (the past six months) and I've never really got up enough nerve to say more than a few passing greetings to him which is really stupid because he's not even that intimidating when you compare him to other guys I've struck up conversations with. What do you guys think? I've asked myself this question for ages and I can't come up with a straight answer... Do like him? Am I just intrigued? Please help!

I noticed you said "know how to be a person they'd like". I believe that may be the reason you have not been really successful in solidifying a relationship yet.
To be able to form a good connection with someone you need to be honest and be yourself. That way you are letting that person get to know the real you. You don't want the person you are interested in try to be someone there not do you? Just be yourself. You will be superised how much easier that is. You sound like a sweet person so I do not know why you would want to hide your outgoing personality. Give the person your interested in a fair chance to get to know you. You will be pleasantly surprised how fast you get to know someone when you be yourself.

Just talk to him casually. Find out what he likes and just bring that up in a conversation. Also I think your confusing yourself. Just talk to him more and see if you actually like him or not.
Hoped this helped :) :) :)