Help me

[riverodin]

Ok here's my problem. I am a 15 year old girl. One of my best friends is a 23 year old gay man. I have been texting him and speaking to him online for about 2 months when I met him when he started my workplace. I am very close to this man and consider him one of my best friends. Last night, he told me he felt uncomfortable with the age difference and asked me to hate him and pretend I don't know him. This is because my mum doesnt like me talking to him as he is 23. At work today, he blanked me completely and I am really upset about this. I have no idea what to do or who to talk to as my mum just keeps saying it's for the best. What can I do? I can't carry on not speaking to him or knowing him or anything... please help me...