Ah, young love...brings me back to my high school days...
Alright, this is coming from a guy who stumbled in and out of "love" many, many, MANY times whilst in school. So I think I'll know what's going on here, though I am not you, so I might be wrong, but let's continue anyway!
From the sound of it, you are blinded by the physical attributes of this particular female, her beauty, her voice, etc., and ignore all of the apparent "bad things said of her". This is your first red flag. Dude, you've gotta step back, get the blinders off, and actually see her for who she truly is. If you don't, you might not like who she is on the inside (as was stated previously by ThePurpleKnight). Also, "wearing her down" isn't exactly a positive thing. If you are somewhat smart, and I don't wanna say this cuz I've never met her or anything, but it's happened to me and many others I know: she may try to use you. I don't know, I'm probably wrong, but I just wanted to put that out there, and you should at least keep it in the back of your mind. If at any time it seems as if this starts to become apparent, you better put those brakes on cuz its not a good feeling to be used. It's like...the opposite of love or something.
Now, if I am incorrect, which I probably am, then you've gotta take this SLOW. You rush into it, the girl gets creeped out, tells her friends, and you're a laughing stock, and I'm sure you don't want that now, right? Start out simple, ask her things that are minor, but not awkward. Try to relate on a school level. Do you have any similar classes? Complain about homework or something. You wanna make small talk, but appropriate small talk. Just work your way up that ladder and you'll be ok. Just be smart about it. Awkwardness in this day and age in funny and charming, but only in the right, non-creepy way. I can't help you out much there, but you seem smart, so I think you'll be fine.
Lastly, I have to say something. You are not in love. Trust me. I've said before, I'm a guy who fell in "love" countless times over. But, there was this one girl (who got away) who I truly connected with, not because I liked her face, smile, or voice...I did, but...the reason I fell in love with her was because we connected in so many ways. We shared in interest in TV, movies, music, sense of humor, even the same view in what love is itself! We shared things to each other that I wouldn't have told anyone else, and she confided in me as well. And we had only known each other for a short time-less than a year, even. That, to me anyway, was love. I think you'll feel the same if you like her in more than just a visual regard, in my opinion.
Either way it works out, I wish you the best. Be cautious, take it slow, but not TOO slow, and see her as a person and not a thing.