I like my friend, they know but they're unsure -- it's complicated

[Thaff]

For context both my and my friend are amab non-binary, I go by they/them and they go by they/he. We've known each other since 9th grade and are in 12th now.
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I've had a crush on them since probably not too long after we met, but I've been terrified to say anything because I really like them even as just a friend and didn't want to completely ruin any chance of even that. Recently I told them and we both agreed to wait until after finals before figuring anything out, in order to give some time to think and all that. Just yesterday they messaged me to talk about "us and expectations and stuff," which was expected. It basically went with them telling me they don't really know if they feel the same way towards me, but they are willing to try and find out, I responded understandably as I do really value them and want to make sure I'm not doing anything that might make them uncomfortable. Truthfully I took it mentally a lot worse, even though it wasn't a hard "no" my mind still reacted as if it were and I cried a lot last night. We went to our school's winter formal today together and another thing said last night was that we should go to the formal and then see where we are from there, but even then I'm really scared now of it not working out. I only really develop one crush at a time, and it only really happens for people I know well already which is why I've sat on it for so long and now I feel like I've already been rejected, I can't rely on my typical emotional crutch of "pretend they are here with you" and I feel bad about it and I feel bad for them for feeling bad about that. I think things are going positively but I'm also incredibly worried they might not and I'm not 100% sure what they're comfortable with or not with me and the last thing I want to do is something that makes anyone uncomfortable. I'm just not sure what to do from here, I feel very stuck.

[¯|_(ツ)_|¯]

Honestly I think the only things to do are either give it a try or stop trying to pursue it. If you don’t pursue it you have the option of being friends if you want to, but if you do that set boundaries on what you are or aren’t willing to talk to or do so you’re less likely to feel hurt. But it might help to try going on a few dates with them, even if it’s something like grabbing lunch or coffee. It sounds like a situation where you have to go with the flow.