The Teen Survival Guide to Dating & Relating: Real-World Advice on Guys, Girls, Growing Up, and Getting Along

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90 The Teen Survival Guide to Dating and Relating

Dear Friends Again,

You took the plunge and tried to go from a friendship to a romantic relationship. As you’ve

discovered, it can be a challenge to switch gears this way!

It doesn’t sound as if you’re ready to be just friends again. To give the relationship a

little breathing room, spend time with people you’re totally comfortable with and try to meet

some new friends. When your feelings for this guy aren’t so intense, see if you can go back

to being friends again. I hope things work out!

In friendship,

Terra

Should I tell her how I feel?

Hey Terra,

Lately, I’ve had feelings for a girl I’ve been friends with since fourth grade. We’ve always got-

ten along really well. Even when other kids in the class teased us about liking each other, it

never spoiled our friendship. So now I’m thinking I really dolike her as more than a friend.

Should I tell her how I feel? If I do, how can I tell her without being scared that she’ll laugh

or something?

Freaked

Dear Freaked,

Have you ever heard the expression “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”? It means that if you

don’t enter the contest, you can’t possibly win. If you like this girl as more than just a friend,

tell her. It’s scary to express your true feelings, but it gets easier with practice. Rehearse what

you want to say on your own or have another friend play the role of the girl. When you feel

confident, arrange a time to talk and tell her the truth. The worst that can happen is that she