Girl rejected me but wants to get to know me?

[Anonymous]

Got acquainted with a girl in my social circle this past year. We small talk, say hi, wave. We some times stare at each other. I've made her genuinely laugh. We have common interests. However, we sat down and chatted because everything we we were hearing were from our close friends and not from each other.

Basically I was just making her uncomfortable, even though those were not my intentions. All I was doing was trying to find ways to get to know her, since we only see each other in church. I was listening to friends advice, tried to show interest but not be a creep. (smile!)

So when we talked, I told her I liked her, and she said she was not interested in a relationship at this moment. (basically rejecting me). However, she did say she would like to get to know me. As I with her.

The catch is, I can't expect anything to happen. How do I let this happen naturally when I am not a natural person? I am seriously inexperienced as well as her. Do I take this as a win? Not in a sense of not jumping into dating but, she willing to get to know me? How do I not fall for her while we start trying to chat? It is super nerve-wracking and awkward right now, and the not knowing of how things will be played out is killing me. What should be my mindset about this?

Updates

+1 y

When I asked to talk to her she immediately wanted to find a time to chat. That action suggest she actually cares what I think. Maybe?

[Anonymous]

Zen quotes and articles help me get through tough situation.“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela“Smile, breathe, and go slowly.” —Thích Nhất Hạnh“You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.” —Dan Millman

[lemonbutter]

She may just want to be your friend and find you to be an intriguing personality. Or, she likes to take things slower.

[Iron_Man]

That’s her way of being in control of the situation calling the shots on the relationship To be or not to be basically playing it by ear

[Asker]

So not necessarily a bad spot to be in eh?

[Iron_Man]

It’s better than nothing

[Avicenna]

Well, take it as an opportunity to show her she should date you in the future

[Selene1600000]

Don’t treat this like the start of a hidden relationship, treat it as a clear “no for now” and a simple chance to interact normally without pressure.
Talk to her like you would anyone else, keep it light, limit how much you invest emotionally, and keep meeting other people so you don’t fixate on her.
It’s only a win if you stay grounded and let her interest grow on its own, otherwise you’ll build expectations and make things tense again.

[In_Trance]

move on. she's fucking with you