Girls - do you use the "friend zone" as a cover up?

Sometimes we do sometimes we don't. Either way if you think that he is a "douche bag" and really isn't a good guy then you should tell her that. Explain why but be nice and open about it so that its not like you are trying to act like her parent or something because honestly girls get really blind when we are in love so it can be a real wake up call sometimes. Anyway I would tell her because it will kill you if she gets back with the other dude. I would tell her something like this "look we have been friends for a long time and I have been wanting to tell you that I think that you are a great person and i feeling for you as more then a friend. I understand that you may or may not feel the same way but either way i hope that we can still be friends." She should respect you for opening up and putting your self out there. If she says no then be cool about it and have things go back to the way they were. The only way things will true awkward is if you let them. Good Luck!