Confused

[Allspice_la_fever]

I really don't know where to begin. I guess I started liking this guy about a term ago.
A few weeks in the term after the holidays, one of the people I told that I liked him, told him. And this was because the guy I like, liked me.
So my friend pestered me and pestered me to ask him out. Which I did. But he said no because there was something going on. Which I totally understand and I don't mind and I just felt really bad.
And then through out the term I didn't speak to him and he didn't speak to me at all, not that we ever did before. And everyone said he likes me and that I like him back.
And he sent me an email through his friend's (who's also my friend) email address saying he really, really liked me but couldn't go out and that he wanted to get to know me better before we did.
But the thing is, I don't know how to talk to him. I guess, I know the things I should say, casual stuff like music and subjects and stuff, but how do I kick off a conversation with him?? It doesn't help that my stomach starts flipping everytime I talk to him or that he's really, really shy. Also, is there anyway to kill my nerves?? First week back is camp, so is then a good time?

[Gumleaf]

a trick i have picked up is to try and forget about him as a potential boyfriend (gf in my case lol) and think of him as a potential friend. connecting with potential friends is much easier then potential partners. if you can block that part from your mind, things will come more naturally and you will probably find it easier to connect. being a shy guy, you will probably have to work at keeping the convo going, but don't let that get to you. having possible topics of convo ready before hand as you mentioned would probably help too. good luck. :)

[superstar2067]

Like the above poster above me said, think about becoming friends and it'll be alot easier, he says he wants to get to know you better so become friends first

[lalivre]

Start a conversation with, "hey, what's up?" When he says something along the lines of, "not much, you?" just say, "just wondering about you." then ask him something about himself and in response tell him something about yourself. It's a sneaky way to get to know each other.