Dear Miss Emily:

I have been going out with this guy for a month and, even though it's been such a short time, I already love him. He and I were bestfriends before, so he came to me for advice whenever he liked a girl. Before he started dating me, he and this girl were hanging out for a while but never started going out. My boyfriend has assured me that what happened with her was just a phase because he wasn't sure if I liked him or not. However, the girl and her friends have started to touch him in the halls and write him short notes, calling him names. My boyfriend is anything but dainty and I'm afraid if I let him deal with this problem, something bad will happen that will keep him away from me. I just want those girls to leave him alone without anyone getting hurt.

---------------------------Miss Emily's advice--------------------------

My inclination is to tell you this will pass, and to let it go. It probably bothers you more than him. But if it persists, and escalates, only he can deal with it -- not you. Impress upon him that he has to be firm with these girls to stop the harassment, but his words have to be measured carefully. He should only have to say, in a calm manner, "Stop it, or I'll take it to the office." If they don't stop, he needs to go to a counselor and have her, or him take over. Have your bf save the notes for proof. Now, as I said, there's a good possibility this will fade away, and these foolish girls will get a life, or take on a new useless project. He can only win this if he doesn't let himself be dragged down to their level and not take a hit for something he didn't start. And that is why he needs to use his head, and not his muscles. The teen years! I wouldn't go back to them if you paid me a few million dollars.