Romance is strange and I'm confused

I think i am accidentally flirting an dleading someone on. Thats it.

Or well obviously theres more lol, I'll explain:

So theres this kid [hes like 17/16 idk 10th grader, im 17 turning 18 in a month or so] and he told me he has a crush on me and i told him no, but i think i mightve flirted? Like before I said no? And i know he still hasnt let it go because hes literally told me as much

I do like him, but its more a "hey we're close friends and i like you like a friend/sibling"

And im not sure how to handle this, i am very confused. I don't know what to do, i know i don't want to date him, or anyone for like a long while, and I've told him this but he still has that starstruck thing about him and i dont know what to fucking do.

Or mayeb im misreading the whole thing cuz idk, gah! Romance is fucking weird.