Shy guy issues.Tells me we're just friends but gets mad when I behave as one.Advice??

[gia01]

So Ron and I have been very close for past 6-7months. Everyone on campus thought we were seriously dating because the chemistry was easily visible.Ron is kind of those shy guys who have never been in a relationship before and we both are extremely academically competitive but he's nerdier than me.However,we have spent a lot of time together.He said that he doesn't mind and care that people link us together. He took the initiative of holding hands and we have hugged twice.We have been attached and attracted for long.

Anyway,so things messed up when this other guy asked me out and when Ron asked me what I would answer,I said"I'll tell him the truth that I like someone." and later that night I teased Ron saying that I'm the only girl he talks to and spends time with(I know! I behaved like an idiot).A week later I decided to tell Ron that I really like him and I think he sort of sensed it coming from me before I even said anything much.Since then Ron got all distant.Wouldn't respond to my texts/calls.2 weeks later,he said "I needed more space.I cant just stick to 1 person and i need to make more friends.We can be very good friends but i dont want you to wait for me after classes.I don't know why but i feel as if im seeing you too much lately,everywhere i go."I got all defensive and then i just kept quiet.Then he said "Forget what i said.Don't let this get to your heart.I just want to focus on academics.You're ok,right?" I said yeah and I left with a smile.

Now it confused me even more when he still wanted to spend time with me after a week.Our final exam got over and he asked me for dinner.I said sure but he got totally mad at me when I asked one of our mutual guy friends to join us since he was eating alone(Now why would you get this mad if I was just your friend?).Ron still came to me the next day but I ignored him too much so he left.I felt guilty so I texted him but he didn't reply.Then he saw me with a friend,a week later.He came to me,asked me my summer plans,said good bye and left.This was 1st week of May.I chatted on fb after 3 weeks but he wasn't too interested.He instead posted a pic of him standing between 2 of his girl classmates and replied me after half an hr.

College reopens on aug 19th and I'll see him after that.I really don't know how I should behave with him because I know that he'll surely talk to me if he sees me.I want him to know that his behavior was very hurting and wrong and at the same time I want things to go back to how they used to be like before.
Any advice on how I should react?I really really like this guy.Also,any idea why he's behaving this way?My friends said that he likes me and wants my company but he fears getting tied down and label it a relationship because he's never been in one. Any input is greatly appreciated.Thanks much

[basilandthyme]

Our final exam got over and he asked me for dinner.I said sure but he got totally mad at me when I asked one of our mutual guy friends to join us since he was eating alone(Now why would you get this mad if I was just your friend)

He got mad because it's rude of you to invite someone else when the dinner was at his invitation. At the very least, you could have said to him "do you mind if I invite x?". He's probably also wondering if you were trying to make him jealous and is mad about your game playing. And yes, my answer still stands if dinner was just as friends: I'm a woman and if I went out with a female friend, I wouldn't invite a third person without at least checking first.

As for the future, just let it go. If you mind your manners in future, he'll forget about it in good time.