Laure,

As someone who is afraid of connection myself, I find myself empathizing with the guy you’re interested in being friends with. I of course don’t know you or him or what his motivations are. I think it’s good that he admitted to you that he’s afraid of you liking him–it seems to be an honest admission. Given he’s finding excuses to talk to you, it sounds like he is indeed interested in you at least as a friend. On the other hand, there could be something he doesn’t want to admit, as you say.

What do you think would happen if you simply asked him, “Is there something you’re afraid of?”? Do you think he’d run away and not speak to you again? I don’t know what his hangup is.

I don’t know how old you are, or how old he is. Perhaps it doesn’t matter. But when I was in my teens I couldn’t admit anything to anyone. Now that I’m a good deal older I find that I’m more forthcoming with how I am and/or what I feel.

So then, if he’s hiding from you or everyone, I would ask him about it. He does seem interested, but afraid. Ultimately, he is going to need to be the one to open up to you, if you’re trying and he’s afraid of trying.