<human>: Can you succinctly summarize the text in 1-3 sentences?

KSo a little backstory first, I've been very careful with relationships my whole life. I'm not the kind of guy to just rush into one because I want to be sure I wanna date that girl. Well, I met this girl through 2 mutual friend in my physics class and so we started talking and wad obvious she liked me and I liked her. But I was waiting to ask her out because I wanted to make sure. We went on 'dates' to places alone but not official and when she rested her head my shoulder was the happiest I've been in a long time. This was the first girl to ever make me feel actually happy. 

So a few weeks pass and I finally decide screw it I'll ask her out what's the worst that could happen? Well when I finally decide to ask her out, she tells me asked rather just be friends. When I asked her the reason she said it wad because I waited too long. She wants to be friends but whenever I see her everyday in physics I can't help but think of everything and how much I really like her. It tears me up thinking about what could've been.

My friends say that if waiting too long is the sole reason for not wanting to go out with me, then I wouldn't wanted to date her anyway. I'm not sure if I believe that though.

Is there any way to maybe salvage a relationship? If not, how do I deal with this? This is my first relationship so it stings pretty bad.
<bot>: girl liked me and showed a big interest in me and when I asked her out she said she'd rather be friends. How can I salvage this or make it hurt less?