It's not that she see's you as a "friend", it's that she sees this: a guy with low self-esteem and no confidence who doesn't back himself enough to take a chance and isn't man enough to go out and "take what he wants". Guys who take that approach are desperate, and to quote a good friend of mine: "Desperation is the least attractive quality a man can have".
Agreed, Girls go for the ass and screw over the nice guy is a misnomer. Girls go for the guy who knows what he wants and doesn't give a damn what anyone else thinks, esp. when it comes to her.

Confidence and backing yourself is what works. That and having realistic expectations, relationships are transactive. Don't expect to get a premium product if your offering is substandard.
are you talking only looks? b/c I would have to disagree. Now a good body goes a long way but a man can eaisly overcome being ugly