Dear Miss Emily:

I met this guy in class my freshman year of college. We didn't really talk all that much until the spring of our sophomore year, but we had a couple of classes together in the meantime. But we started to hang out every once in a while and had some fun. Turns out we have a ton in common. One night, he texted me and we ended up having a lengthy conversation about something totally random. But it was clear there was some kind of chemistry there. So after that, when we'd text, things got increasingly weirder. I'll admit that I was caught in the throes of a potential relationship with him; I was wondering what it'd be like if something more happened between us. But then, the more I thought about it, the more I realized I didn't want to be in a relationship at all, let alone with him. So I stopped texting him as much, and certainly with less "cutesy" kind of texting. But I think the damage had been done.The other day I asked him if he wanted to come to a concert with me and some of my friends. His response: "I would love to. "Now, maybe I'm reading way too much into this, but he would never have said that to me, he would have said, "Awesome, dude!" or something like that. But not "I would love to." It really kind of weirded me out, and I'm fairly sure he still likes me more than a friend. So what do I do? I'm reluctant to hang out with him at all now (I'm even considering lying to him and telling him the concert plans are off). Now I just dread the idea of that potential awkwardness coming up, and I'm lost for ideas. He's still a friend, and I don't want to lose that, but I also don't want to lead him on.

---------------------------Miss Emily's advice-------------------

Well, then, don't lead him on! No one is forcing your hand. That said, I think you may be reading too much into this, because you see it only from your side, and you can't know what's going on in his mind. Granted, he may like you a great deal, but that doesn't mean "I'd love to" means any more than his natural state coming through rather than using hip vernacular. Go to the concert, and enjoy yourself. If he seems too attached, or even if he handles himself to your liking, there's no reason you can't have a talk with him -- or e-mail him if you lack real courage to do a face-to-face. Simply tell him,"I really enjoy our friendship, but I worry I've led you to believe I wanted more than that. Maybe you don't want more than friendship, either, but I only want to take responsibility for my actions, in the past, and let you know that friendship is really what I want." What's wrong with that approach? If he takes offense, or bows out of the relationship, so be it, but you have a chance to be forthcoming with him, and I think he deserves that as a good friend. Don't play a pre-teen game of cutting him off with no explanation. That's downright mean. As well, I think he'll survive any letdown.