Can I Date Someone Younger Than Me?

I need a question to be answered right away. I'm 17, my friend is 16. he makes me happy n stuff blah blah blah. but I'll be 18 September 20th. and I planned on dating him. his age of consent is 18, while mine is 16. tho I don't plan on doing anything stuff like that. it makes me uncomfortable to be sexualized. am I still able to date them. they are the only ones out of all my friends who make me the happiest.. who I feel safe around.. I'm scared of going to jail for "pedo" I don't wanna be a pedo and I definitely HATE people who are. I was targeted by pedos as a kid..I didn't even know what was happening.. I feel sick thinking about it. I'm scared I'm scared. plz answer this. someone. anyone.