Wayy to overprotective parents!!!?

well i am 16 years old with extremely strict parents and i am not exaggerating one bit:( i'm not allowed out late, i mean last saturday i came in at 7.45 and they started shouting at me even though it wasn't even 8 yet!!! they say im not allowed out when its dark which is stupid because its winter now and it gets dark by the time its 4, do they expect me in at 4? that's when most of my friends go out and they are all allowed out until like 11 or 12. i'm not even asking them to let me out until 11 i just want a little bit more freedom, im happy with getting in at 8 even if it is early for a 16 year old but to my parents say that's too late. i'm not allowed out every weekend, i can only go out a few times a month which sucks, they say all i have to do is study. and that's not the least of my worries, i just started going out with this boy who i really really like and he likes me too, he mails me everyday saying how much he likes me and hes just an amazing boy. hes so sweet and he could never ever harm me, i know it but the thing is i'm going to lose him because i'm not allowed a boyfriend therefore i have to keep him a secret and the thought of losing him hurts me so much:( this is just way too much pressure for any girl to handle, i feel as though im about to have a meltdown. i have tried speaking to them like a mature adult but they just wont listen. im a very good girl and try to keep them happy and all my grades are the top of the cl. i dont know what else they want from me:( this might make my parents sound like horrible people but they arnt i love them to bits and i know the only reason why they are so protective is because of how much they care about me but i really cant handle it anymore. all i want is just a tiny bit more freedom, is this too much for a 16 year old girl to ask for? PLEASE HELP ME:'( sorry this is so long, i didn't mean it to be but any help is appreciated:( thank you xxx