He rejected me should I give up?

technokitten
Keeping it brief, we go to the same school have been out to see movies in groups together and are good friends. I started liking him and told him i did (oml it took so much courage). He told me he wasn't sure if he liked me back because he just got his heart broken by another girl. He also said that i deserve better. I said it's fine and to take some time. He ended up calling me pretty and smart and saying that he feels like he SHOULD like me. He flirts a LOT and very blatantly, all our friends make jokes about us being a couple and that we just "don't know it yet". He goes along with them every time and jokingly calls me babe.

Yet, just yesterday, i asked him again if he likes me and he said "I'm pretty sure I don't like you as more than a friend." I'm super crushed, kinda angry ofc but I'm mostly confused. Every sign, even just how he always finds a way to touch me and will always single me out and stand/talk with me when we're with friends, it all pointed to him liking me but he says he doesn't. Am I just being too hopeful or is he just super confused? What should I do to give me a chance if you think I shouldn't give up?
He rejected me should I give up?
2 Opinion