Afraid of being in a relationship?

[BelieveInMiracles]

Hey,
So there's this guy I have liked for quite a while now and I never actually thought he would be interested in me until today when one of my friends told me he liked me back. I really want to say yes if he does ask me out, but I'm just afraid to be honest. Before anyone asks, I haven't been in a relationship (apart from the silly relationships you have in primary school!) so I really don't know anything about it and none of my close friends have ever had proper relationships.

The thing I'm worried about is not being able to talk about anything and hugging and being close like boyfriends and girlfriends do. I haven't had many friends who are boys until this year so I don't really get close (just like hugging goodbye) to guys without feeling uncomfortable, I really don't want that to effect us if we do get together!

I know these are pretty stupid things to get worried about but I really do like this boy and I just want to make sure I don't ruin things before they start.

Does anyone have any advice on how to maybe get a bit more comfortable around him? And any suggestions on what we could talk about? Also if he does ask me out should I just explain I'm a bit nervous and ask to wait a bit or just go for it?

Oh and one more thing (sorry for all the questions!) most of my friends like him, but they would find it very weird if we got together and I don't think they would like it. I'm wondering if I should just ask if we can keep it quiet, but I really want them to know, but then again I don't want them to make fun of us or just spread it round the whole school. Has this happened to anyone else? What did you do?

Thanks for any help!

[Nicole!]

The more you spend time with him, the more comfortable you will feel. I promise your first date will be the awkwardest, but after that it gets better. You just need to get to know each other and realize that you both have feelings for the other so there is no need to be nervous.
Relationships with boyfriends is different then friendships, that bond you have will help you feel closer to him. You just have to get to know each other and soon you'll trust him enough to tell him things.
I wouldn't ask to keep it quiet. As your friends, they need to be supportive. It doesn't matter if they find it weird, what matters is that you like him. Do what you want, don't change your actions because of what some other people will think. As time goes by I'm sure they'll get used to the idea anyway.

[nouse]

I agree with Nicole!
I was in a situation like this before as well. If your friends are unhappy with you being with him, they'll get over it. As for having an actual relationship with him, it can be totally awkward at first. But you don't have to jump right into it and be like super couple of the year. Take some time to get to know eachother, and it will really flow naturally! When I got with my first boyfriend, he was my first guy friend, and it felt so awkward at first because we'd hardly spoken in person before we got together, and just a little online. Buuutt, within three or four months, we got so close and pretty much knew almost everything about eachother, and we're still together! 3 years later.

So just don't worry about it, just let things happen naturally! He obviously likes you, so you're not going to scare him away, unless you're pushing too hard. So as I said, just let whatever happens happen.

Also, as for keeping it quiet, you don't want to insult him. Like oh yeah we can date, we just can't tell anybody. You know what I mean? But of course, I don't know the guy, so maybe you could. If so, just present it off as keeping it quiet until we really feel we're officially decided to stay together after we know a little more about eachother.

[BelieveInMiracles]

Thanks for the help! I'm just going to try getting closer to him and see what happens from there! (: