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Question: Recently, a person that I know for two years had expressed his feelings for me. I don't know how to react, so I tried my best to avoid him. I know I don't have feelings for this friend of mine-and I only treat him as a friend. But now that he told me his feelings towards me, I feel awkward around him. I don't want to make him feel that I have accepted him, and I certainly don't want to lose this friend. What should I do?
Answer: Your first reaction should be: feel flattered. :P Winning the affection of someone is indeed a high form of praise. Take a moment to bask in this awareness. :) When you're done, face the situation as is. Tell him. Directly. Sincerely. And be very clear that you still value his friendship and hope your relationship will not change for the worse because his feelings cannot be reciprocated. Do not offer him false hope. But do not let him think he'd forever lose you as a friend. :) And if... And if he insists that he can no longer think of you as just a friend, then... perhaps your friendship was not meant to be from the start. If he genuinely cares about you, however, having a rapport with you - no matter of what type - is better than cutting lose of all connections. I wish you two the best! :)