After my rejection friend has changed a lot

[Anonymous]

I’ve problem with my friend. We’re classmates and good friends. Some time ago he confessed to me that he’s gay and that he's in love with me me. I'm straight myself so I was very surprised, but I’m quite liberal person, so I told him that it’s ok, it won’t change anything in our friendship, however I can’t respond to his feelings. He seemed to understand and we decided to not to talk about it anymore.

But now he has started to behave strangely. All the time he’s sad, depressed, quiet. He can sit next to me for an hour without saying a word. If I ask something, he answers, but nothing more. He has never been like that before, he has always been fun, cheerful guy. Now I can’t remember when was the last time I saw him smiling. When I ask what is wrong, he always says that he’s just tired of school and house works. I know him well enough to know that it’s not the truth. Once I met him and he had completely red eyes, it looked like he had been crying, although he denied it.

Could it be because of my rejection? I never wanted to hurt him, I tried to be as gentle as I can about the issue. I want to help him, if it’s because of me, I want him to know that I’m not worth it. He’ll find a guy who’ll be hundred times better than me. Should I talk to him about that? What should I say? I appreciate him very much and I don’t want him to suffer.