Though honestly, I feel like waiting as long as you did was a potential factor in this. Obviously she knew (you can't hide stuff like this), and knowing someone is silently pining over you might be cute, but its not really romantic.
Treat it as a lesson - next time you have something you want, don't wait the potential of success to slim to zero before going for it.
I mean, she might have turned you down anyways of course. She might not just be into you in that way! God knows I've had plenty of friends turn me down. Though it may seem like a big deal to you now, focus on the things that DID happen instead of the things that didn't.
You got to keep her as a friend - Win
You finally managed to get over your crippling anxiety - Win
You've now got some nice experience for next time - Win
You've made an extremely long thread on the forum - Win?
But seriously, "don't have much to hope for"? Heck, now you know what you're looking for and you know you have the ability to try and get it - get out there and find it!
Honestly, relationships with less well known people are more fun anyways, since one of the best parts of an early relationship is the sharing of intimate secrets and experiences and stuff. It sounds like you don't have a lot of experience with that anyways, so maybe this is actually an opportunity? You've gotten your stubborn infatuation out of the way, hopefully it will wither and you can spend your time focusing on getting into a relationship that makes you happy,