"I don't know... I just..." He lets go of Ed to absently adjust those maroon lapels again, straightens the bow tie just so he can focus on that instead of Ed's face. "You're very cool and everyone knows that - and I'm- well- I guess I don't want to be the cause of anyone thinking any less of you."

Because he can't pretend to be actually just as cool and expect them to believe it. Everyone there knows him.