Should i tell her i like her?

she lives in my old state(cali) which i plan to go back when im 18 but ive liked her since 6th grade and im in texas(9th) and we still talk over AIM..alot...and she s given me so many hints like she LOVES straighforward guys and that it dosent matter if that guy lives a billion miles away she d like for him to be straightforward so i cant exactly "make a move" and i worry that if i tell her i like her our conversations will be awkward >.< plus i think itll affect how our relationship will be when i go back there in 4 years pls help i ll promote u best answer