How to show you like a guy through texting?

i had this crush on this guy since like 5th grade im in 9th now and im sort of shy. He recently dumped his girl friend and i want him to know that i like him but i don't want to be so obvious like telling my friend to go tell him that i like him or just saying to him "i like you" or something else like that. I want to give like little "clues" or "hints" what are some things i could say to him but not make it too obvious?