couldn't we just keep things the way they are?

here are dialogues from Let the Right One In, Swedish movie, that I Love so Much!

oskar: eli, want to go steady?
eli: what do you mean?
oskar: well..
oskar: do you want to be my girlfriend?
eli: oskar, i'm not a girl
oskar: oh.. but do you want to go steady or not?
eli: couldn't we just keep things the way they are?
oskar: i guess..
eli: do you do anything special when you go steady?
oskar: no
eli: so everything's the same?
oskar: yes.
eli: then we'll go steady.

eli: it'll be you and me
oskar: really?
oskar: good.