Guys, Why is he acting like this now? Was he playing me all along?

Anonymous
What changed? Yesterday I confessed my feeling over text to my crush who has been very flirty, always talking to me, walking me to class and caring for the past couple of months. He started talking to me first in class and he always complimented me and showed overall interest. At first I wasn’t really interested but I still talked to him and everything. I ended up catching feelings for him. I decided that I should just tell him since he seems interested too. so yesterday, I confessed my feelings for him over text. He responded saying he isn’t mentally ready for a relationship at the moment. After an hour of talking about it, we decided to stay strictly friends. Now today He didn’t talk to me in class. He didn’t even sit next to me in class like he ALWAYS does. He didn’t even look at me. I’m just so heartbroken cause I really do like him even though it took me a while to realize it and I do believe he likes me but I just feel an energy shift between us.

side notes - he is known as a flirt, he has been kinda quiet around me for the past like week and a half but that still didn’t stop him from sitting next to me in class. He watches my instagram story 30 minutes after I post it LIKE RELIGIOUSLY as if he waits to not seem so Eager to watch it. by the way we are 16 and 17.
Guys, Why is he acting like this now? Was he playing me all along?
2 Opinion