Dumped after first date, and I need advise please.

Well, I went on my first date with my ex-girlfriend, to a movie. We were all cuddly and holding hands whilst the movie, then after she had to catch the bus and because we live separate ways I waited at the bus stop for 30 minutes until the bus came, shortly after she left, I got home and found a message from her. She dumped me saying she preferred to be friends, but she actually wants to be friends and she keeps asking how am I and stuff like that, I try to act normal but its so difficult knowing she just dumped me after 3 days after asking me out in the first place. Can someone please tell me what to do/how to handle this?

Dates are exploratory efforts to see if you and the other person jell as a couple. Apparently, she doesn't think you do. You have to accept that and try finding someone else. Whether or not you want to be friends with her works the same way, both of you have to want that. I don't know how any of us here can answer that. If she says she wants to be friends, it then comes down to your choice. Do you want to be friends with her or not?