For the last few months I (18M) have been talking to a girl (18F) that I work with. Very recently she has opened up about her life being overwhelming recently and wanted to put the progression of our relationship on a pause (her words), but she has also said that she still wants to keep in touch and hang out as friends. I have also agreed it is the best option as I also have some stuff going on but I am very scared of losing her entirely. I have never properly dated someone, only been in talking stages such as this one but I have never felt this way about any other girl before and it’s driving me nuts, I can’t just let this all just go away, I know that we mutually like each other but just aren’t ready and I don’t know how I could progress this in the future.