Crush on my best guy friend

So me and my best guy friend talk all the time and we share our feeling when I am upset he talks to me tells me everything will be all right . And I started to like him more then a friend and everyone said that he and I looked good together but I told him how I felt and he said :michaela, theres no reason for me to hate you. I think its great that youve mastered the fear of telling me your true feelings for me. But im not sure if im the right guy for you. Im only going to be in high school for another year. I think your a great girl, but honestly, I think your too young for me. I dont hate you, and I would love to stay friends. Im not trying to hurt your feelings, and I hope you wont take this in a bad way. But please think about this. What will happen when I go to college? What if you find someone better who is your own age? Wouldnt it be better to date a guy who is the same age as you are? Please think about this thoroughly. Im not trying to make you feel bad. Im just trying to point you towards a better path. You have a good head on your shoulders, and a great heart. I dont think you should date someone older than you. Please dont think that I hate or dislike you. I like you a lot, but as a friend. Maybe we could just get to know each other better first, and start from there. What if im not the kind of guy you want? We dont know enough about each other to determine a solid relationship. Im sorry, but I think our age is a big problem. I hate to tell you all this. I wish it were different. Lets just take this easy, and keep talking to each other. Maybe we are more compatible than either one of us thought. Maybe we arent. Hopefully, we will find out. But I think its better for you to find someone your own age, so you can spend as much time with him as you can. If you want, we can talk more about this. If you want to drop it, thats fine. But in my opinion, talking and explaining things is the best way to clear things up. So talk about it. Maybe talk to one of your other close friends. And tell them what I think, and what you think, and ask for their opinion. I just dont want to tear your heart out. Please dont take this badly. But im telling you that I dont want to stop being friends. ( is this bad or good do you think)