Okay, so I'm gonna use generic names for this. So this guy named Thomas, African American, popular, and very handsome, started talking to me about a year ago. We became really good friends. Like, best friends. Anyway, I don't like him as a boyfriend. I think. So after summer had ended and school was back in, he started calling me baby and bake and writing on my hand, "Thomas's Girl". I played along, of course because A) I was good friends with him B) I didn't want to hurt him and C) I didn't like to hang out with a lot of popular people. The trouble is, I was raised as a Christian and taught that dating a person of another race was a sign. *I am not a racist, but merely a Christian. Some of my best friends are African American.*

He never flat out told me we were dating, but it is pretty obvious what he thinks. What should I do? Set clear boundaries? Date for real? I don't want to let down my parents, so please help me find a way to break it off without ruining our friendship. It may seem like a small deal for you, but this has me worried. Thanks.