Is it normal to want to be friends after rejecting a guy?

Sure it's normal. It's the bullshit thing that most girls say because they're afraid of being called bitches or cockteases or whatever. It's also a power trip for women. Some guy has revealed his interest in them, and instead of just saying "no" and leaving it at that, they dangle the "friend" bullshit at him. The poor fucker thinks, "maybe I can transition from friend to boyfriend" and hangs around and hangs around and hangs around...Meanwhile, he's wasting time on texts and phone calls dealing with whether some other asshole likes this bitch or not...He ends up emasculated, all to the further glory of the power tripper. Do this poor bozo and yourself a service and just tell him you're not interested. Be honest - you don't really want him as a friend, you just don't want him as a creepy stalker. You don't have to appease him with fake-ass "friend" shit. Let him get on with his shit and find your self-esteem in a healthier fashion.

I very highly doubt your friendship is over, especially with how close you guys seem to be. However having been in that situation I know that time is the healer of all wounds, so I would imagine he's giving himself the space he needs to recover. When the time is right he'll get back in touch with you, just be patient and it'll all work out.

Define "since" some days? a week? He might need time to get over a rejection but not that much.

This happened to me too. A few months we had good conversations. Just like you. I reject him and he disappears. I got really angry at him for disappearing and called him out. He wanted a relationship all along not a friendship. It pissed me off he was being fake the entire time.

I had another friend befriend a guy. 3 months later they have a one night stand, 2 days after that he's gone.

He's just embarrassed. Call him and chat as if nothing ever happened - otherwise he may feel it's easier to let the friendship lapse. Men are like that! Don't worry too much coz they don't over-analyse things like females do.

I am sorry, maybe with time he may seek you out for conversation and more!

I met him last semester in physics and we used to study together

Our conversations were so interesting that it's hard to imagine him NOT wanting to be friends. :-(

Yes it's very hard getting over rejection, he could return for friendship, or the thought of never having more, could end up being more than he can handle! I just hope you was right, that it could never be more with you two, because friends that click, often make the best couple! Good luck with your choices! True live often finds you when you are not looking!

Do I know you? Cuz this happened to me haha