Dude, sadly it is not confusing at all... Her saying to be friends is just easing of her guilt. IMO at this stage being a friend is not a productive choice, because in your mind (as you clearly say) friendship is just a step in the right direction (next level = relationship), but in her mind nothing could be further from the truth.
The talk about future? No go buddy, you can clearly see, she sees no future for a relationship with you (at this point in time), so talking about a relationship would be of as much use as carrying water in a bottomless bucket...
