1) There is no "texting back timeframe". Of course we are all busy, but I think replying 10 hours later just makes anyone look like a fool. If you're not interested, then just don't text back at all, ever. If you are interested, FYI, replying quickly in a conversation in no way makes you seem like a clinger, nor does it make us think you're in love with us. It's just polite.
2) Still on the texting subject; when you're dating/seeing/talking to someone, there should not be days when you text and days when you dont. If you didn't feel like talking at all thursday, then do not send a text friday night at 10pm. Furthermore, if you are at the receiving end of this kind of nonsense, do not reply, this person is an asshole, and they are not interested - stop lying to yourself and on to the next one.
3) You like someone? Tell them. There is no rule on how you can and can't express your feelings, and telling someone you're dating that you like them is not creepy. Reacting like a 10 year old and running away is.
4) You have a question, ask. And I do not mean ask your friends. If you're going to your friends before just asking the person you're dating, you're already on the dangerous path of overthinking and overanalyzing. Guess what? Your friends will not have the answer. So stop wasting your time getting 500 different opinions, and go get the answers you deserve.
5) Plan your second date ASAP. I see this way too often: good first date, and then MIA for weeks with texting here and there. Whatever your gender is, ask to plan a second date. If 2 weeks pass by and there is still no second date, clearly someone is not interested, so read point #2 again, and on to the next one.