Do Your Own Thing

The "Populars"? Yikes! They have a name! You know what? Twisting hair and googly eyes might work in the movies, but not so much in real life! Confidence, intelligence, and sense of humor are what it's all about :-)

XOXO,

That's great advice! A lot of the pressure about boys and stuff goes away when you focus on making FRIENDS with boys, not boyfriends, you know?

XOXO,

Sometimes, I think we girls get scared because we're always thinking of what we're going to say next... in the middle of the conversation! You can always practice the things you want to say beforehand, but when you're actually IN the conversation, relax and focus on what he's saying. You'll be able to respond better if you aren't constantly thinking about what comes next!

XOXO,

Hey! Ugh... I know. I've been super busy lately. But, you know me! I'm always here for ya!

XOXO,

lol! Why IS it that all of a sudden, it's super hard to talk to boys? It's like, all of a sudden they make you all nervous and self-conscious and stuff. But, really, I bet you don't sound like an idiot. You could be a little over-critical of yourself now that you have a crush on him. Just relax and know that you don't have to put on any shows for this boy -- he already knows how cool you are!

XOXO,

What you're feeling is totally normal. Sometimes, it does seem like boys only like a certain type of girl. But, in reality, boys like girls of all different shapes, sizes, and styles. That's what makes crushes special -- you like him just the way he is and he likes YOU just the way you are. So, I think it is worth it to wait and look forward to a boy who will like you for YOU.

In the meantime, it's so much more important to know in your heart that you ARE beautiful and that you don't have to wear skin-tight clothes or lots of make-up to attract boys. Focus on what makes you happy and what makes you feel beautiful. And someday, the right boy WILL notice and he'll be worth it. Just like in the movies!

XOXO,

Hey ThinkPink16! Let us know what happened when you find out about the teams!

XOXO,

Hey! I answered your Q down below, but just to recap -- don't feel like you have to wait for HIM to tell you! If you feel ready, you can tell him you like HIM.

XOXO,

Uh-oh! First of all, if you don't LIKE like your boy-space-friend, do not under any circumstances feel like you have to say "yes" in order to keep from hurting his feelings. TWO people's feelings are involved in a relationship, and it's not fair to you or to him to pretend.

And, you like his friend. This could be tricky. Keep timing in mind. If you want to get to know his friend better, wait a while out of respect for your friend. Even though you shouldn't pretend you like him, you should be very sensitive to his feelings. Good luck!

XOXO,

Oh no! I hope you and your crush are on the same team! If so, yay! If not, don't let it mess with your confidence. Real crushes aren't contests, so don't feel like you need to COMPETE with this girl. You'll end up feeling defeated -- or even desperate! -- if she ends up spending time with him. Just keep valuing your time with him at lunch, in between classes... whenever you guys can chat. And show off that confidence! Trust me, it's super attractive ;-)

XOXO,

There's really no one way or another to tell if a boy likes you. Ugh! I know! Why can't we all just SAY IT? lol! The best thing you can do is be friendly to him and show him how cool and easy-to-talk to you are. The rest will fall into place if it's meant to be. If not, you've made yourself a good friend!

XOXO,

There really is no perfect way to ask a boy to a dance, so think about what you feel comfortable with and just do the best you can. In other words, if you're too scared to do it in person, try a note. Or, ask him on IM. It's hard to take that first step, but you might have a really great time with him once it's all behind you. Also think about just asking him to dance AT the dance. It's a lot less pressure for the two of you :-)

XOXO,

Hmmm... sounds like she's a bit of a bully. I'm sure you've tried the whole "kill her with kindness" route (meaning, being genuinely nice to her whenever possible). Next, I'd say to be PROACTIVE about it. I wouldn't just wait for my bf to break up with me. I'd approach his sister in a very mature way and ask if you can talk about why she might not like you, and what the TWO of you can do to work it out and settle things. In the meantime, be honest with your bf about how you feel. After all, it's YOUR relationship (aka, between the two of you!) and it's not about his sister.

XOXO,

Ugh! Tough situation! It looks like you have a pretty good perspective on the whole situation. Feelings could get hurt here. But, you have to keep being HONEST. If you don't feel comfortable telling Danile that you like his twin brother, then just say that you like someone else and leave it at that. But, then, be extra sensitive to Danile's feelings if you decide to get to know Nick better (and I'd say give it a little time!). Good luck!

XOXO,

Great advice, ThinkPink16! Smiling and having a good time is always a good way to get noticed ;-)

XOXO,

Hmmm... do you know what cockiness is? That's when a boy thinks he's SO GREAT and feels like he needs to tell everyone. That's not such an attractive quality, is it? Think about how this boy is treating you now that he knows you have a crush on him. If you don't think he's respecting you or being fair to you, then you need to tell him. If you think he's just afraid to deal with the fact that you like him, then you need to think about that, too. Is this the kind of guy you want to have a crush on?!?

XOXO,

Ooooh... acting clumsy to get attention is not always the best way to go about it! Read my little article above on the best ways to get boys' attention. Being clumsy on purpose is not one of them!

XOXO,

Hi! This is your brother's friend, right? You know, going for a bf/gf relationship can be VERY scary. There are so many "what ifs" and doubts about what you are and aren't ready for.

But, even though I've never been there, I can tell you that it IS important to try. And, trust is HUGE. If you do trust him, then this looks like a great chance for you to take baby steps TOGETHER into the whole I-like-you, you-like-me thing. One of you will have to break the ice, though, and say something. Think of it this way -- once you have said something and you have that conversation (even if it's totally awkward), then you'll be relieved. Having that behind you is so much easier than obsessing about it. Gather up all your courage and SAY IT. You're right -- if you wait for him to do it, then you might be waiting a long time!

Remember, though, you're taking BABY STEPS. And admitting you like him to his face is only one of them. You're not signing on for anything more at this point! Good luck!

XOXO,

Boys as friends are sometimes difficult to make because if a boy spends time with a girl or if a girl talks to a guy, that usually gets everyone whispering, doesn't it?! But, guys as friends can be fun and very handy when you need a guy's perspective! It helps to have known a boy for a really long time -- like a next-door neighbor or a classmate that you used to play with when you were younger. If you don't have that, then focus on having casual conversations with boys WITHOUT the crush vibe. Just be yourself and show them that that's not what you're all about. It may take time to develop, but don't get discouraged -- there's nothing wrong with having boys as friends, and it IS possible!

XOXO,

Boys, boys, everywhere! lol! In this case, you really need to think about the consequences of your actions. Ha! I sound like my MOM! But, really, your feelings, the new kid's feelings, your bf's feelings, AND your BFF's feelings are all on the line here. And YOU have to decide if your feelings for the new kid are strong enough to be worth risking your friendship and your relationship with your bf. Good luck!

XOXO,

I gotta go with Sidnee#8 on this one. Joking around about being gf/bf is one thing, but if it's getting to the point where you're uncomfortable, you have to be clear and persistent about how you feel. That also goes for your friends. Don't let them get to you! When they say, "Ooooh! He liiiiikes you!" just be like, "Cool, but I'm not that into him and that's not going to change. Let's talk about something else."

You're being very considerate by not wanting him to take it personally, but you should never give in to something you're not comfortable with JUST to spare someone's feelings!

XOXO,

That's great that his friends came UP to you to tell you he likes you! That's a good sign! And, remember that he probably likes you for many reasons... stuff about yourself that you might not think is all that special really IS special to him. So, even if this girl does like him, that does not mean he's forgetting about you! Crushes aren't like contests. If they are, then they're not real crushes! But, if a boy tells you he likes you, you should probably let him know either way asap! Just like us girls, boys need encouragement when they go out on a limb like that ;-)

XOXO,

I bet he's probably embarrassed and doesn't know what to say! He might not know how to get back to being friends, so you can start taking baby steps by talking to him -- that'll show him that just because you said "no" last year, it doesn't mean you think he's a bad friend. It'll take time, but if you work at it, I bet he'll come around :-)

XOXO,

Hmmm... sometimes boys will flirt with lots of girls to see what kind of reaction they get, you know? We girls do it, too ;-) And that's totally fine because it's not like you HAVE to pick one person to, like, settle down with or anything! If you're not telling him that you like him, and he's not telling you that he likes you, then one of you needs to break the ice somehow! In the meantime, have fun flirting and try not to stress about the other girls. Good luck!

XOXO,

Great advice! Thanks for your input!

XOXO,

Yikes! Talking to him for the first time is going to take some planning... and a few pep talks! But, you will be so glad you did once it's over. You guys have math together, so that's a good subject to start out with. When the bell rings, try to walk out with him and say something like, "Ugh... these equations are super hard," or something like that. And then, you can just take a deep breath and say something like, "So... you know that dance coming up? Well, I was wondering if you would like to go with me." If you don't want to put him on the spot (which could be super awkward), add that he can think about it and tell you later. Good luck!

XOXO,

Feeling like no boys LIKE you is hard -- especially when your friends are getting asked out. But, try to change that thought to say, "No boys like me... that I know of!" Boys keep crushes secret just like girls do. And asking a girl out can take a LOT of courage.

At the risk of sounding like my mom, just remember that when the time is right you WILL get asked out. Maybe not by your current crush, but hopefully a boy that YOU like, too. You don't want just any old boy to ask you out -- wait for when you BOTH feel like the time is right.

XOXO,

That's so cool that things are working out for you guys! I can see how you're nervous, though. First of all, it doesn't matter whether your crush is a year older or younger. Age isn't something you can help and neither is liking someone (usually!). So, that whole "older" thing is really old fashioned -- forget about it!

As for your bro's friend, it's cool that your brother is cool with it, you know? That's a big plus. You're being a great sister by thinking about the friendship between this guy and your brother, but you don't want to give up on a nice thing JUST because you're afraid of causing trouble between those two. After all, it's THEIR friendship to maintain, not yours!

Just continue to be honest with this kid and tell him that you want to take things super slowly for everyone's sake. That way, the weirdness won't be so sudden. Like, try not to impose on their Guy Time, you know? Say hi and stuff when he's over and hang out sometimes, but keep the flirting and relationship-y stuff to when you guys aren't around your bro.

Also... keep in mind that I know from the movies that not ALL relationships end with two people hating each other. You guys can have fun without all the drama that you're afraid of. Whew! I just wrote a book!

XOXO,

Thanks for your concern! I'm fine, just super busy with stuff, you know? I'll be answering... don't worry!

XOXO,

Well, it's not like you KNOW that they'll tell you if you don't ask. That's taking a chance on your part, girl. But, I wouldn't go down the line and ask if you know what I mean. Crushes are special, and if you have many crushes, the one who likes you back might not feel special at all! In other words, think about who you REALLY want to ask, and then focus on whether you're ready to ask HIM.

XOXO,

My best advice on advice is to not just tell people what they want to hear! Be honest, and that's what people will come to appreciate about your advice! Ya know?

XOXO,

Unfortunately, you can't stop his friends from pressuring him. He has to make his own decision about whether he's going to ask you out (which doesn't mean he's just doing it because he feels pressure). In the meantime, make sure that YOU'RE not pressuring him in any way. Good luck!

XOXO,

Uh oh, missions are usually baaaaad ideas. I mean, they seem good at the time, but they go horribly wrong more often than not. Even if your mission was accomplished, someone is going to get hurt because of it, and that's not cool. Plus, if you try to MAKE this guy get away from another girl, he's not going to like it too much. He has to make his own decisions, and even if he likes you, who he hangs out with isn't something you can change. Good luck and have fun at the dance!!!

XOXO,

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your friend. But, I am glad to hear that you're hanging out with much nicer people! This boy might be afraid to talk to you because he doesn't know what to expect. If he believes your ex-friends, then he's probably afraid that you'll get all flirty on him all of a sudden. To show him that's not the case, you have to do it slowly. Over time, show him that you're not changing how you act around him. Hopefully, he'll come to believe YOU and not your ex-friends. But, don't give up! Don't let those girls take away a good friend for no reason!

XOXO,

Totally! Good point!

XOXO,

What's wrong with being an independent tomboy?! Boys are attracted to all different kinds of girls. No matter what people say, ALL boys do not ALWAYS go for popular girly girls. I mean, some do, but many others don't. So, don't sell yourself short! Be proud of who you are and your confidence is something they'll notice.

For boys as friends, try getting in on a game at recess (if you still have recess) and show that you're not there to flirt. You're there for game time!

XOXO,

If you decide to tell your friends (and that's totally optional) make sure it's clear that this is NOT something that you want blabbed. Explain that this is YOUR secret that is not for them to tell. That's totally not BFF-like!

XOXO,

There's really no rule that says this guy will go on to like your friend if you don't do anything about it! But, if that's the way you feel, then you have to think about whether asking him out is worth taking that risk. You don't want any regrets if he does move on to your friend (and if he does, that's totally NOT cool!), but you also don't want to push yourself into something you're not ready for.

XOXO,

You know what? Boys can be cute and nice, but that doesn't mean they're ready to do the whole crush thing! So, take his behavior as a hint that he's probably not ready to deal with the situation. Your friend might be disappointed, but no one should be force him into something he's not ready for.

XOXO,

Ohhhh... you should totally let her deal with it. It sounds like she's taking this VERY seriously, and if you get in the middle and things don't go as planned, YOUR friendship could be in danger. I would say to bow out of this drama, but talk to someone you trust if you feel like your friend is getting out of hand.

XOXO,

Cool! In this situation, you have to block out what your friends are saying and focus on how YOU feel. Asking him out is only half the battle. Then, you're suddenly in a bfgf situation and you have to decide whether you're ready for THAT, too. I mean, a relationship only has to be what you make of it, but if you really feel like asking him out, make sure you're BOTH honest about how you feel :-)

XOXO,

Yeah, weirdness does strike sometimes! Don't panic, though. Chances are that he's just getting used to the idea, and what he decides to do about it is all on him. Give it some time, and I bet the weirdness will fade away.

XOXO,

It's all about place and time, isn't it?! Keep thinking about your schedule and where/when you run into him. If you want to do it in person, take advantage of any opportunity you have when you're semi-alone with him. If you don't want to do it in person and you can't call him, ask your dad if you can IM or email him. Whatever you (and your dad!) are more comfortable with!

XOXO,

Really, girls. What ARE we going to do with these boys?! Sometimes, when boys have a crush, I feel like they send mixed messages. You know? Like, he'll smile at you from far away, but then up close, he'll act like he totally doesn't like you! Believe it or not, but I know some girls who do the same thing. I think it means that he's not fully ready to do the whole bfgf thing, and he's afraid of taking that next step. If you like him, just focus on showing him that you're cool and easy to talk to and that might ease his fears a bit -- even about just being friends!

XOXO,

Believe it or not, stuff like kissing and dating and all that happens when the time is RIGHT. It's not about deadlines! In other words, you don't have to have your first kiss in middle school. Some girls do and others don't. But, it's important to remember that NEITHER is more normal than the other.

XOXO,

Oh no! I'm sorry. We all know that crushes just don't work out sometimes. Which is fine, right? What is meant to be will be. Despite what other people say, HE is the only one who can tell you whether he's moved on. To get a clue, notice his ACTIONS and see if you can get a feel for what's going on in that boy-brain of his!

XOXO,

OK, so I don't know that much about boyfriends because, technically, I've never had one. BUT, I do know that boyfriends should be EASY to talk to. You might have a crush on him, but if you don't feel like he's easy to talk to, then maybe he's not the guy for you.

XOXO,

A lot of BSG fans have asked me this question! There are no defined clues or hints that boys use to let girls know that they have a crush. Every boy is different, so it's hard to say. And, on top of everything else, many boys might not be sure about how they themselves feel! But, many boys will smile a lot or talk to you whenever possible or do favors for you. At the very LEAST, that shows he thinks you're cool and wants to get to know you better ;-)

XOXO,

If a boy acts like he likes you, then that's a compliment! Whether he actually LIKE likes you, I don't know. But, it does show that he thinks you're pretty cool. Nothing wrong with that!

XOXO,

Hey! You ARE a superstar!!! I totally want to be on Broadway someday. And movies?! That's totally cool! But, about your crush, remember that NO ONE should be forcing you into anything! Relationships only work if both people are willing to work at it in order to be together. Ohhhhh, romance. Someday!

XOXO,

Thanks! Here's the thing -- I feel like waiting almost never gives you the results you want. If this boy likes you, he might be waiting for you to make the first move! So, it's like the both of you are just stuck! If you're fine with that sitch, I say leave it the way it is. If you feel like you HAVE to be completely honest about your feelings, I'd say not to wait for him to bring it up. You could be waiting for a looooong time!

XOXO,

Hmmm... this is sometimes the WORST part about crushes. How DO you talk to them?!?! Girls and guys get nervous talking to each other all the time, but it's always easier to talk about something that you're BOTH familiar with -- like class or sports or friends you both have. You can break the ice by asking for a pencil (even if you totally have one) or maybe asking him a question about class ("Hey, I didn't catch that last thing Ms. Rodriguez said. Can you tell me?")

If you strike up a convo outside of class, think of some questions you want to ask him beforehand to avoid those awkward silences. Many boys and girls LOVE to talk about themselves (moi included!), so think of ways you can get him to open up about his hobbies and stuff. Hopefully, he'll do the same to you!

XOXO,

No sweat! Have fun getting to know him as a friend. That way, if you DO like him, you know it's for good reasons (aka, who he REALLY is instead of what you think he's like based on daydreams!). If you decide you don't like him, then you've just made a good friend :-)

XOXO,

Dear nikkioli,

First of all, props for asking your crush out! That takes guts! It's totally not cool that this boy said no JUST because his friend told him to. This might mean that he's not into the whole girl thing yet and isn't sure of how he feels. All you gotta do is respect that and move on. As for your friends, tell them that BFFs should ALWAYS support each other's crushes -- if the boy is a good person and is nice to you, then what's not to like?

XOXO,

Dear dancergirl9,

Uh oh... beeee careful! If this boy likes your friend, and you feel like you're falling for him, realize that it'll probably affect your friendship in a not-so-good way. Read the stuff above about positive and negative attention -- I've got some good tips on getting boys to notice you! Good luck!

XOXO,

Dear angel124,

All you can do is what you're already doing! Just keep telling them that you don't LIKE like him and make sure that's how you really feel. They're your BFFs and they'll probably know if you're trying to cover something up!

XOXO,

Dear stagelover1234890,

This is tough because if you do find out who he likes, it's pretty much guaranteed that at least ONE of your BFFs is not going to like his answer! If you feel like you're stuck in the middle, do what feels right. If you want to talk to him about it (and be prepared to tell your friends what he said), make sure he KNOWS that's what you're doing. Otherwise, he might feel like you totally blabbed his secret. If you don't want to ask him, be honest with your friends. Tell them to talk to his friend to find out who he likes -- you don't have to use YOUR friendship with him to do it. Good luck!

XOXO,

Dear thinkpink16,

Well, if you're not allowed to date, then that's what you've gotta tell him. He'll have to understand. But, just because you're not allowed to date yet, that doesn't mean you can't be friends and talk to each other! Just keep it friendly, and that should be a win-win for everyone!

XOXO,

Dear angel124,

Unfortunately, you can't MAKE someone like anyone. That stuff just happens. So, if he does like you, and you feel too young to start dating, just let it be! If a boy likes you, that doesn't mean you HAVE to go out with him. But, make sure you talk to your friend and make sure this doesn't cause drama between the two of you!

XOXO,

Dear angel124,

I know it's tempting to tell your friends that they're making fools of themselves, but many girls have to figure it out for themselves. You can just keep being you, and show them through example that POSITIVE attention is always better than NEGATIVE attention.

XOXO,

Dear thinkpink16,

Nope! I'm all about Ms. Razzberry Pink and her fantabulous store THINK PINK!

XOXO,

Dear Kgirl_Katani,

Hmmm... boys who act like they don't notice either (a) really DON'T notice or (b) they're not ready to do the whole crush thing. He might just want to chill as friends, so maybe only watch him play basketball a few times and send him the friend vibe and not the crush vibe. Good luck!

XOXO,

Dear gugulover,

EVERYone is noticeable! If this boy you have a crush on is looking at you, look back! Having confidence in yourself is especially noticeable, so remind yourself how cool and interesting you are every time you look in his direction.

XOXO,

Dear stagelover1234890,

Think about whether you like this new boy BECAUSE he's new and BECAUSE everyone else seems to like him. Then, think about what you like about this other boy. New kids are exciting and interesting, but eventually, they become just like everybody else. So, think about whose personality you like better and who you'd like to spend more time with.

And, who cares if the most popular girl in school likes him? And, moreover, who cares if she's a model? Ha! Being a model is great, but keep telling yourself that what SHE does and who SHE likes should have NO effect on you whatsoever. Good luck!

XOXO,

Dear 7lilgill7,

Yeah, crushes who don't crush on you back -- that's tough. But, think about what a crush REALLY is. You think he's cool and cute and nice. Those are all great things! So, if your BFF's BF tells his friend that you like him, it's totally a compliment. If he doesn't have a crush on you, it'll be embarrassing for a little while. But, to get over it, the best thing to do is just move on full steam ahead. Say to yourself, "Okay, whatev. He doesn't like me back," and then don't dwell on it. There are soooooo many more boys out there!

XOXO,

Dear spellbee12,

Cool! So, now you've got that straight! When you realize you like a boy, take a breather and figure out what the game plan is. You can tell him you like him right away -- but sometimes that freaks boys out when they don't know you that well. So, it's a gamble. Another option is to get to know him as a friend and try to figure out if you guys have a lot in common. Then, if you still feel like you want to tell him, he'll already know how cool and friendly you are.

If your friend has already spilled the beans, play it cool until you decide what you want to do. He probably won't come up to you and talk to you about it -- if he doesn't know you that well, it could be kind of embarrassing. But, if he makes it clear that he doesn't like you back, your heart might be breaking for a while. Hold your head up high and say something like, "Okay, cool. Let's just be friends, then," and do just that!

XOXO,

Dear martlover123,

Yikes! Going out with someone just for the gifts is so not girlfriend-like. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do. You can tell this boy your opinion, and that's about it. Trying to break them up or spreading rumors about her or anything like that will just make things worse. He has to figure out on his own that his current girlfriend isn't good for him!

XOXO,

Dear luv2dance4u,

Okay, let's see if we can figure this out! It's pretty much a dad's job to tease and embarrass his daughters from time to time. And, yeah, when your fam first finds out about this, they probably will take MANY opportunities to give you a hard time. But, that's kind of a family's way of showing support -- in a weird way, I guess. Like, your dad isn't freaking out about you going out with this boy. Instead, he's joking around and teasing you about it. That's a good sign!

You should totally tell your mom. Just lay it all out: "Mom, there's this boy at school, and I guess he likes me because he asked me out." Done! Then, you can talk to her about how the both of you feel about going out and other boy stuff. It's important to get all those things out in the open before you start feeling like you have to sneak around. That's totally not cool!

XOXO,

Dear BabyK,

Keep in mind that this guy might be afraid to make the first move with a girl and is waiting for you to do it! If you're also afraid, it might not be the right time to be more than friends.

Try -- and you'll have to work at this -- to lessen the pressure you feel to be all cool and confident around him. Yeah, his good looks might be distracting, but remember that on the inside, he's probably feeling just as awkward around you, too. Rather than working on being more than friends, I'd say to work on being totally comfortable around each other before taking that next step.

XOXO,

Dear dramastar,

If your crush is mean to you, why would you WANT to go to a dance with him?! Look for someone who treats you with respect, and I guarantee you'll have a better time.

XOXO,

Dear peppercorn13,

I'm sure you've had a crush before, right? Me? Obvi. So, you probably know that you can't just snap your fingers and stop crushing on someone. That might be the case with this boy. Maybe he thinks that if he sticks around a little while longer, you'll get a crush on him, too.

If that's not going to happen, you'll have to be persistent -- but VERY sensitive to his feelings. Tell him that you're not into him in that way and that following you around makes you think he isn't getting the message. Good luck!

XOXO,

Dear queenaff,

Sounds like you've got a big brother type on your side! You said it -- he CARES for you, which is nice. If you care for him in the same way, then why not just leave things the way they are and see what happens down the road? Good luck!

XOXO,

Dear I_Like_cows_52,

You're absolutely right -- crushes should be about liking people for who they are on the INSIDE. It's true, though, that some girls believe what they have on the OUTSIDE is the only way to attract boys. But, a girl who values her body as something that's HERS-- not just something for boys to look at -- will avoid the guys who only see ONE thing and attract the ones who are more interested in her mind and soul.

So, take pride in being YOU and valuing YOUR body, because chests are not the only thing that attracts boys. If you're cool being who you are and it shows -- THAT'S super attractive.

XOXO,

That's another option! What other advice do you girls have for ~luv da Rockies~?

XOXO,

Dear Zoey101222902,

It's totally normal if this boy is a little freaked out by the thought of going out with girls. He might feel nervous around us and not know what to say. This is where you come in -- show him that girls aren't that scary by having totally casual conversations and by giving off the friend vibe, not the I-want-to-go-out-with-you vibe. Good luck!

XOXO,

Dear SummerRead34,

Asking a boy out can be super scary! But, you're in a good place because you know he wants you to ask him. So, the chances of him saying no are pretty slim.

But, remember that you don't have to be going out to like each other. Or, to hang out as friends. You can both have crushes on each other and talk on the phone and stuff without actually going out. So, if you don't feel ready to be going out with someone, take the pressure off and just hang out as friends. Good luck!

XOXO,

Dear aurorell,

Who says you can't go out with him? Popularity contests are totally lame. What's REALLY cool is knowing that even if popularity exists in your grade, it shouldn't STOP you from doing anything you have your mind set on. This blonde, blue-eyed girl -- so what if she's popular? That shouldn't stop YOU from doing what you want. And this boy -- make sure he appreciates you for YOU, and isn't caught up in that whole lame popularity contest thing.

XOXO,

Dear Starrie18,

Hmmm... warning bells are going off in my head! Forming your OWN conclusions about people is important (rather than just believing what everyone else says), but if Alex really is a "bad" guy, I think you should steer clear, my dear. Plus, he hangs out with a bully, which is almost always bad news. That's def not something you want to get involved in. If you feel like crushing on someone, think about the "good" guys in your class!

XOXO,