Okay, maybe it's true what you say. But even then Oskar is clearly interested in his girl, later boy. I think that is really noticible in the book. His nervousness, his curiosity, him peeking through the window till she comes out of the house again on day 2... he openly thinks about what it means to be gay. Why does he even care about her sex. Because he is romantically invested. That boy is in love.
And Eli? At some points she is reluctant. Like in the bedscene. What does "going steady" mean? Nothing changes? Then we can go steady. Or "We cannot go steady. I am not a girl". You can interprete that in many ways.
But then she caresses him in a very special way. That is nonsexual intimacy. Hard to imagine for just friends. This is not just cuddling, that is INTENSE cuddling.
Eli turned his face to Orksar's, said, 'I...'
Closed his mouth. Then pressed a kiss on Oskar's lips.
For a few seconds Oskar saw through Eli's eyes. And what he saw was...himself. Only much better, more handsome, stronger than what he thought of himself. Seen with love."
Yes. It can mean love between friends. She sees him stronger, better... also more handsome... hm, the latter one is a bit weird for just friends. But anyway.
When being honest, right now I cannot say if Eli is or is not in love with Oskar. It can be both ways. But Oskar is in love with Eli. And I can hardly imagine this talk a week after the book:
Eli: Wait, you misunderstood something. I love you, yes. But I am not IN love with you. You are just a friend.
Oskar: (very dry) You know, you could have told me that before turning me into a vampire.
Nah.
