Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber have been pals for a while, but rumors that the teen stars are more than friends ramped up when the pair were recently spotted getting pancakes arm-in-arm.

Despite the mild PDA, Gomez denied there were any romantic overtones to the outing, saying instead that the duo were just getting a quick bite eat while they both had some free time in Philadelphia.

“It was pancakes. Who doesn’t like pancakes?” Gomez told MTV News at the Z100 Jingle Ball 2010 in New York Friday, where she and the Biebs both hit the stage. “We were both performing in the same place so we went and had pancakes together. That’s all it is. All innocent.”

In fact, Gomez has said the Canadian teen idol is more a brother and than a lover, explaining in February that she started looking out for Bieber as he started his journey toward superstardom.

“I love Justin. When he first started to come over from Canada his manager contacted me and he just said that he would like to meet me and he was just such a good kid,” she explained. “And I feel like a big sister now, ’cause I want to protect him. So I’m always very cautious with him, but he is so talented and he’s so sweet, so that just started us wanting to work together. Now he’s just become one of my good friends.”

Gomez is also rooting for her good friend at the 2011 Grammys where the pop sensation is up for two trophies, including Best New Artist. When asked who she thinks would take home the hardware between Bieber and fellow Canadian heartthrob Drake, Gomez put her money on the “Baby” crooner.

“I would have to say Bieber just because I know how hard he works,” she told MTV News earlier this week. “I hope he wins, but I love Drake as well. It’s a really hard category so I don’t know who’s going to win, but of course I have to say Bieber.”

Teen singing sensation Justin Bieber is a ladies man, for sure. Just days after swearing he has no time for dating and doesn’t have a girlfriend, he’s been spotted looking awfully close with Disney hottie Selena Gomez.

Although Justin, at 16, is two years younger than 18-year-old Selena, the two were spotted clinging to each other while dining out in the city of brotherly love. Gossip Web site TMZ tracked down the pair at an International House of Pancakes in Philadelphia on Wednesday (Dec. 8).

Okay, it’s not exactly what you would call a romantic restaurant, but they reportedly were looking very friendly, and have been seen together more than once over the past few months. What’s more they were photographed leaving the restaurant arm-in-arm! Both were in Philadelphia to perform at radio station Q102′s annual Jingle Ball, a star-studded holiday-themed concert.

In Los Angeles, the day before (Dec. 5) at another concert, Gomez called Bieber “one of my best friends.”

“Love him,” she said. “I would do anything for that kid.”

Yikes, kid! She called him kid?

That’s a term of affection usually reserved for a brother, or friend, not a boyfriend. Selena seems a little too mature for the Bieb, and probably goes for older guys, anyway.

She is also one of of the Disney kids, along with the Jonas Brothers, and, ahem, Miley Cyrus, who have vowed, at least publicly, to remain celibate until they are married. And, she’s been spotted wearing a purity ring on her finger.

So the Bieb’s action may be limited in any case.

THE IMPROPER

Whatever stories that are going around about them 2 I’d say don’t worry about it. She’s 18. She seems way too mature for JB. That TMZ picture at IHOP was probably more for publicity than anything I think.

Here’s a breakfast combo for ya — Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez leaving the International House of Pancakes yesterday … ARM-IN-FRICKIN-ARM!!!

The two international pop stars sat down for breakfast yesterday in Philadelphia …. hours before they were scheduled to perform at the Q102 Jingle Ball.

According to the good folks at IHOP … Biebs, 16, and Gomez, 18, HELD HANDS inside the restaurant … and looked “cuddly” while sitting on the same side of a booth.

Nothing says “romance” like a Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity.

TMZ

These two are getting very chummy. He spent Thanksgiving with her family. She goes with him to Jaden’s brother’s high school football game. They go on Yogart dates. He has said Selena is his favorite Disney girl. And he just happens to make a song called “Latin Girl”. You can’t get anymore Latin then Selena Gomez.

Furthermore there is this:

Justin Bieber And Selena Gomez ARE Dating According To Reports

According to Life & Style magazine Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber are in fact dating, even though they have continuously denied the reports. According to the magazine the duo have gone out on a number of dates and their relationship is now starting to get more serious – with Selena starting to tell all of her friends how much she likes Justin!

A source told the magazine:

Selena’s been gushing about Justin more with friends. And he’s had a crush on her forever. It’s definitely on!

Thoughts?

DISNEY DREAMING

Hmmmmmm….. But then again she did tell Ellen she considers him her LITTLE brother. I don’t know about you but once you consider someone your little brother it’s hard to date them.

They’re both massively successful in their own right, so when Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez hit up the 2010 Q102 Jingle Ball last night, it was an evening to remember.

Mr. Bieber took the stage at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, New Jersey in top form, even serenading a lucky female fan and giving her a bouquet of roses.

Meanwhile, Selena had her own high-powered set, performing in a beautiful white getup and going barefoot!

Miss Gomez has been extra busy this week, as she sang at the KIIS-FM Jingle Ball in Los Angeles this past Sunday, and she’ll take the stage at the Z100 Jingle Ball in New York City tonight.