This is a GREAT time, to forge a close bond with him as he enters into another milestone age.
Make sure to KEEP communication open, so that he comes to you with anything, big or small, problems or not... so that you will always be in-the-loop in his life.
The last thing you want, is for him to keep "secrets" or not tell you anything.
Its GREAT that he came to you with this situation and sharing his "life" with you. Keep it up.
AND, make sure you teach him how to treat girls... and that sometimes girls are not so nice either and some are.... so to keep his wits about him etc. ie: the girl telling him she's "cold" and if he can "hold" her. Um, yah, that was slick of her.
So many things to learn at this age.
Just keep an open dialogue. Even if you don't know what to say, then just listen and let him know you are always there for him no matter what and you both are a "team." A boy's Mom is a big influence in his life... and they need you.
Yes, its about being his "Mom" and not a friend. Just because you listen to his life and he tells you confidences it does not mean you are being a "friend"... you are being MOM. The 1 person he goes to with all his feelings and questions. The 1 person he can and should trust with anything to guide him.
Sure, education/academics are important... and instill that by helping him to evaluate priorities & goals. But, at the same time, a boy or girl will begin to socialize with the opposite sex and have experiences no matter what and no matter how much homework they have and no matter how naive or not.
So, guide him. Talk about it. Form a "tradition" with him about it... perhaps sitting down once a week just to talk and see what he is going though etc. And begin to have "rules" about what you expect too. Curfews, dating, not being alone with a girl in her room kind of thing, introducing himself/the girl to the parents and you etc. Sure he's young to "date" but... it will only develop more as he gets older, and its always never to late to start instilling these things in them.
Main thing is to be open and honest and respectful. Then a teen will be more prone to talk to you, the Parent. And respect who he is... that he is growing up, but you are proud of him etc.
Sometimes, even though my kids are MUCH younger, I will tell them "Mommy doesn't have the answer for that right now... let me think about it and we'll talk about it later together. But for now, you can tell me whatever is on your mind... I like when you share your thoughts..." Then the kid feels you are "approachable."
But no, do not leave it alone... talk about it. It can just be casual or a planned sit down. Him telling you all this is a BIG open door for both of you to bond and build a rapport... and he will know that you are there for him.
All the best,
Susan