What do I say to this girl?

There's this girl who i went to high school with and one day she just disappeared.... later i learned some weird stuff happened and her mom kicked her out of her house and she lives in Colorado now. I was always kinda interested then and one day out of the blue she started talking to me on FB, i was surprised but the conversation lulled. I like her not sure if shes interested, i am but the fear of being shot down in conjunction with my complete lack of allure makes me kinda gun shy? What do i say to let her know im interested with out being completely open and vulnerable?