I'm afraid to ask him out...?

There's this guy in my school and he's soo nice. Today, he helped me with my math homework. :) I was about to hug him. lol i didn't though. He's not really that cute, though, but he's super nice and super funny. i just met him in the beginning of the school year. a lot of people say that it's wrong for girls to ask guys out, but.. i don't think it's that wrong. do you? should i ask him out? if so, how??? i don't want to do it face to face because 1. There's no time in school. and 2. if he says no it will be reeeally awkward and embarrassing. i used to like him A LOT ini the beginning of the year. we used to talk like all the time. and i want a boyfriend. i've never had one before. oh, BTW im in 7th grade.. Soooo what should I do????????????????