It will be interesting to see how the "friends" thing goes. I've never got deeply involved with anyone and then called it off. I have done it before any emotions (at least for me) got involved and every time the girl indicated that we could still be friends (and never actually meant it). I'm hoping she isn't going to be the kind of "friend" that wants more and instead slowly fades away into the sunset.
You cannot be lonely if you like the person you're alone with. Dr. Wayne Dyer