Help please?

Shelby • Shelby
I've recently met a guy after going through a horrendous break up, and I feel alive again, I've never felt this happy, not even with my last relationship. There's a problem though, he's 20 and I'm 17, I'm telling him today that we might not work out. I'm about to get my life started, I'm going to be going through a lot and I care for him and I don't want to drag him into my life just yet. It's like I met him at the wrong time. He cares for me deeply and he hopes that we will work out because he's been "looking for a girl like me". I'm going to be hurt to my core if it doesn't work out. I don't know where I'll be in a year or two and I know I'm young but he's everything I could ask for, but I cannot give him what he wants at this moment. Any tips on how to break it to him easily?