If You Aren't Getting Answers, Ask Better Questions

Awkward!  Was totally ambushed by one of my guy friends today.  I'm listening to the lovely Maja from The Sounds "Queen of Apology".  Just going to my Anthro. class and look who it is!  He's sitting on this ledge grinning at me with that crooked smile of his.  Yeah this isn't a love story...not on this side!  I untactful say, "Hey stalker, what's up?"  He walks me to my class and then we talk for a second in front of the door.  Then blurts out "I like you!"  I almost didn't believe my ears so I had him repeat it.  Poor dude.  At this point he is shaking a bit.  Then he continues "Just had to put that out there."  I'm like "Uhhh...that's really sweet."  I was smiling slightly but inside I was screaming "I NEED TO GET THE HELL OUT HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  So he then decides to take another step further and asks if I want to go out sometime this week.  I'm trying to find some excuse to escape this moment but there really was none.  Besides I gotta go to class and that would be too harsh.  I'm just too nice.  But what caused this sudden invasion of my cranial cavity (cause clearly it's vacant for at that point in time); his face his have a fit and twitchy like there's no tomorrow.  I think if I was quiet much longer he would have melted into a puddle of flesh.  So the alien that hijacked my brain tells me to say "I'm available Thursday or Friday..."  He trys to get it for tonight but settles for Thursday when I turn that idea down. 

So I'm in class and texting my older and maybe wiser guy friend.  Basically he tells me what I probably would have done but needed to be told it.  I'm gonna pretend it's not really a date date.  Never said I liked him back!  I'm gonna dress like it's any other hang out session with him or any designated guy friend.  My guru suggest this local place that is very casual.  I will adamantly insist on paying half.  I'm sure my serious face will scare the shizz out of him.  Then make it an early night.  As back up, my friend is going to call me at some point and if it's going sour (meaning he's trying to put the moves on me and is not getting the hint) then he'll come scoop me on his crotch rocket.  Beyond that, if he asks me out, I'm gonna say "No thank you!"  Maybe not in those words but the point will be gotten. 

Anybody been in that situation or one similar to it?  Comments definitely appreciated!

H*<