@Kv1244,
Yeah it is hard and disappointing but better to know than to continue to pine after him.
I probably at your age reacted similar. There really is no better way. It kind of leaves the door open if he changes his mind
I also can understand his side - if he is planning on going to college soon he might not want to be in a relationship seeing in a few months he would be elsewhere.
The best thing pull yourself together and look for a new crush - the one positive you won't be wasting your time crushing for him when there is another "hot" guy that is wanting that relationship.