What's the next step?

I went out to the movies with my best friend (we'll call him john) and his girlfriend (we'll call her tracy) about a week ago and they brought along a girl (we'll call her amanda, one of Tracy's close friends) that I hadn't seen in about a year since she left my school, and man did she look cute. We watched the movie, went out to dinner, I talked to her a little bit, mad her laugh a couple of times and everything was cool. Well, 2 days later after my graduation Amanda (which according to tracy, had wanted to come but her parents wouldn't let her because she was grounded) had been wanting my number ever since the last time that I had saw her. So we made another movie night and I got her number with no problems. I went over to her house one time because we were waiting for other friends to show up so we could all chill, and amanda and I talked for about 40 minutes and she seemed shy, but we talked ok. Now, I've been texting this girl for the past 4 days and we seem to have a lot in common, and for the past 2 nights she always says "text me tomorrow :)" (does this in particular show a little bit of interest? (We text at least 50 or 60 texts a day) I'm starting to feel more comfortable talking to her and I even told her that I liked talking with her and she said the same about me. Sometimes, she will start texting me without me prompting her to. I feel that I'm learning her a little better and a little bit at a time, but I really need to ask her out on a date to get to know her better. I will be seeing her today when I pick her up to go to my buddy's graduation and I will have 40 minutes in the car each way to talk to her, plus graduation and the after-party.

Now to my questions:

1) From what you have read, does this girl seem to be interested in me, even a little?

2) What would be a good way/time to ask this girl out? I want to sooooo badly but I want to make sure that I've established a good enough friendship with her so that when I finally ask her out I won't creep her out. How can I tell when the time's right? I've been playing it all by ear and my heart so far...

3) I'm a bad planner, so if and when I go out on this date, what are some fun places that will have good atmosphere to feel comfortable and have fun? (She lives on the beach btw, so that's old to her) I need some fun suggestions please!!

4) Am I doin this right?!? Cuz I have nooooo clue what I'm doin!! :P

Thanks in advance to anyone who gives me advice!! :)