So confuuuuuused..., What to do? Options

[Paradox of Life]

Me and this guy have been friends for a long time and I've known him for about 3 years. We hang out pretty much every weekend (and talk to each other every day at school). All of my friends know I like him and they say he likes me back. So I ask him and he replies:

"Well, I can't really tell you that because I don't want a girlfriend right now. Because when people break up things get awkward and it could ruin a friendship."

So I said, "Okay then. We can be friends for now."

And he says, "For now."

I've been thinking about it and he hasn't directly said he likes me back, so I don't want to get all caught up in something that may not even exist. I asked him the other day to give me a yes or no answer of whether or not he liked me and he just shrugged and changed the subject. I told him earlier that if you really liked someone you wouldn't be embarrassed to say so and he agreed. He's had several girlfriends in the past so it's not like he's not ready. I'm just so confused. Heelpp.

[Chii]

there can be more reasons as to why he doesn't want to date you besides the simple fact that it might ruin your friendship. maybe he's just too busy to have a girlfriend now, or he needs to focus on school.

or maybe, he'd rather be just friends with you but he thinks that by agreeing that you two should be friends for now it won't hurt as much as an out right rejection.

either way...you can't keep like asking him for a relationship. if he doesn't come around now, there's really no point to keep chasing after his heart.