I (24F) am happy? I got rejected by my friend (24M)?

Felt really odd about my friend, was becoming jealous and hurt for no reason. Realized I liked him, knew he didn’t like me. Told him anyway because i hate keeping secrets. I am relieved? I was so happy when he rejected me; He told me he firmly sees me in the friend box and i genuinely went “oh thank god”.

Did I not actually like him? I’m confused about my own feelings now. I am just coping? I’m really glad that he didn’t block me and we’re still friends but what is up with me? There’s an odd knot in my stomach for some reason yet. How do I deal with this situation? He let me down gently and he’s genuinely so nice and I’m relieved that he doesn’t like me, but I am just coping?