Reply To: Did I do something wrong by rejecting my best friend?

You didn’t do anything wrong. It sounds like M really likes you and respects you, so why wouldn’t she be understanding if you explained to her exactly what you’ve said here? Tell her that you are confused right now about how you feel about romance in general and about your own sexual identity. Let her know how much you value her friendship and that if you were to be interested in dating anyone, she’s the first person you would want to explore than kind of relationship with my right now, you aren’t ready and you aren’t sure when you will be ready. It’s ok to not be ready and not to be sure how you feel! It’s also ok to change your mind about things.

Maybe you don’t see M in “that way” right now, but that doesn’t mean you won’t a few months from now. It’s hard enough being young and figuring out your place in the world. Add in a neurodivergence and it’s even more challenging. Please be gentle with yourself – the way you’d be gentle with someone you care about. You aren’t an asshole. You didn’t do anything wrong. You’re just a person who hasn’t figured out what you want yet and there’s certainly no crime in that. Take all the time you need and continue surround yourself with as many kind folks as you can, like M, and treat them with compassion without compromising yourself or crossing your own boundaries.

If M is as good of a person as you say, she will understand and she won’t hold this against you,