What’s going on inside of his mind??

So I started working at Starbucks in April of this year. I met this guy a couple of weeks before hand to ask about job openings and immediately I thought he was incredibly gorgeous. Talking to him felt super easy as we were making jokes but eventually he set me up and I got the job weeks later. I had totally forgotten about him after that encounter until I saw him again that second week of work and he immediately noticed me. We started talking very often, making jokes on the floor, flirting and eventually it led to texting, calling, video chatting and we even started a relationship.

The relationship was incredible. I was really able to be free with this guy and we would be able to talk about anything. When I tell you that relationship was “perfect” it felt magical. There was nothing wrong. Or so I thought. So I dropped him off at work one day. Now I no longer work there because my boss wasn’t the best and my school schedule and work didn’t align. But anyway, everything was fine the whole day except he didn’t text me like he usually would. We would usually stay up all night and day texting until we fell asleep at 6 AM - literally begging the other one to fall asleep first otherwise we’d be up the entire night. But it wasn’t like that that day so I figured he went to sleep. I texted him “Hey babe I’m guessing that you went to sleep :) so goodnight an dill tty in the morning.” He then texted me at 6 AM that same day and said “Hey babe. Sorry i didn’t get back to you. I went through a lot today. Didn’t really want to talk to anyone. Just wanted some time alone. I’m going to bed. But I’ll text you tomorrow ok”. I asked him what was wrong and he said “he didn’t know how to formulate it into words but he’ll call me later after work.” I got worried and so on my way to run some errands I stopped by at the job to see if he was okay. I stopped by before his half and when I entered the room he seemed happy. I ordered my drink and then waited for it and saw him restocking cups and when he looked up and saw me he just looked so damn sad.

Long story short, he asked if I can stay for a while so he can take his half and we could talk. When he did so, I asked him what was up and he proceeded to tell me that he had a panic attack yesterday due to the fact that he’s starting a new relationship. He said that this is not the first time and he hates telling people that because it makes the other person feel like they’ve done something wrong or turns them off completely. But he was afraid that he’d hurt me or I’d hurt him so he just got scared and wanted some time alone. I asked him if I did anything wrong and he said “no you didn’t do anything wrong, I just always get like this and I hate it.” I asked him what he wanted me to do trying not to cry as I got frustrated and he said “I don’t want you to do anything. I’m not saying we have to break up but I don’t know what I want to do right now.” (ALSO BEFORE WE EVEN GOT TOGETHER HE WAS THE ONE FIGHTING FOR ME THE HARDEST BUT OKAY) and I said “okay. I am going to give you what you want which is some space because I know what I want and that is you. I’m content with being with you. Before this all started you were the one telling me that I should let my guard down and be open to this, and I did. Now I’m the one telling you that and as much as it kills me, I’m going to give you your time to think alone.” He said okay hesitantly and we parted ways. Ever since that days, it’s been killing me. I texted him later that day and said to him “I guess this means we are on a break.” And he said “Ok. I think that makes the most sense. Yeah I agree it’s not fair to you so if being on a break helps clarify things and not feel like you’re stuck not knowing then yes I would agree with that.” Ever since that day we hadn’t texted.

I went to Starbucks on the way to the city and saw him again. I tried my best not to make eye contact but I saw him waving with a straight face at me from the corner of my eyes and as soon as I saw him I wanted to cry. He continued staring at me and I can feel his eyes on me as I picked up my drink. My cup wasn’t filled all the way so I asked one of my friends that worked there if she could fill it up for me and she said no because she was working on something so he grabbed the ice scooper and took the cup from me and said “I’ll do it for you.” And then gave it back to me. Still holding that stare. God I should’ve asked him how he was or if we were okay or something but instead I walked out afraid that I may cry.

Two days ago from today I texted him and said “Hey it’s me. I just wanted you to know that I’m here and I get that you’re working things out in your head. But just know that I’m still here and I want this relationship (whether it’s a friendship or something more) to work. But just communicate with me because communication is key to success as essentialskills.net would say 🗝” something cute and funny to make the convo light hearted. He responded with a joke and right off the bat we were texting again until 6 AM and it made me feel so happy.

But now he hasn’t texted me all day and it’s really hurting me. I think I’m so hurt because everything was going perfect and all of a sudden it’s like we are strangers. I’m confused and hurt but I don’t want him to know that. What do I do? What’s going on inside his kind?