He texts me, I KNOW he likes me but I'm not sure!?

He's quite an attentive text-er and he tells me he likes to talk to me, that im interesting, and he's asked if its ok to text (i said yes) and he's nice BUT im confused! Obviously if i dont know if i like him i should get to know him better but i dont want to hurt his feelings! if i keep up this friendship he might get the feeling that i like him back...and i have this sneaky suspicion that i only like the IDEA of liking him... so help please, or thoughts. plus my parents dissaprove of the whole idea of me seeing someone (im 17) they think i should focus on studying 4 uni but i worry that im going to miss knowing someone really great :( anyway, whatever you guys reply it'll help :D