How should I take this should I step back or pursue

[bandgeek0203]

I should preface this by saying that I am rather new to the dating scene and in my early 20s. I began seeing this guy and hit it off. After two months of hanging out/dating, in which he told me he liked me and that I was a very special girl, I became uncertain about my initial feelings for him. I think this is a very natural questioning process in the development of any relationship. However, I began to act uncertain around him and I think I pushed him away. He stopped talking to me, calling me, and in the process, hurt me more than I expected as well as confused me. I couldn't stop thinking about him and I think this proved that my feelings were more real than I had initially thought. After waiting a week or so without talking I tried to initiate conversation, and then we spoke very sporadically and very platonically through the following weeks.

Sometimes he would say things like, "what are you doing this weekend?" as if to ask me out, but then he would stop there.

Then totally unexpectedly, he began to ignore me in person. When I ask him what's up, very honestly and directly, he apologizes, says I'm a nice girl, but he didn't think I was interested and didn't want to rush me. He said he would love to do something and that I should call him. Is he afraid of getting rejected? Why do I have to call him? Why is he not talking to me again? He did seem genuinely sorry, but is he ending things with me? Perhaps he doesn't know how to let me down politely? Should I go after him or let him go? I do like him.