Dear Miss Emily:

Well I'm 17 and this guy and I have a lot of history. We're friends and had been messing around on and off, though I have always wanted to be more than that. One day we finally had sex and after that school started and he didn't talked to me at all. There's a new girl he likes and he follows her around like a puppy. She just leads him on and talks bad about him. I get so jealous. I just want him to like me like that. How should I get him to, or is that possible? I wouldn't change myself for him but how can I get his attention and make him like me? I can't seem to move on because my feelings are too strong.

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

I don't like his style. You and he were pretty good friends, or so it seems, and his behavior is immature and selfish. But it's typical of many teens to act this way. The memo on how to treat people hasn't been read yet. Instead of being honest with you, he's chosen the cowards way out and is ignoring you. I think the best way to handle this is to hold your head high, and don't let him think you put yourself in suspended animation until he releases you. Chances are, if this girl is trashing him, he's going to know what it's like to get hurt by being treated with disrespect. I know how awkward it is, because you see him around school and there's a chill in the air. But try to give him a smile if you see him, and act relaxed and casual. Keep busy with friends. My opinion is that he's not interested in having you as a girlfriend, but he didn't mind having a friends with benefits situation. And those usually end up with one person being horribly hurt because she (or he) wants more and only accepts crumbs rather than have nothing at all. Next time, don't sell yourself short. If you like a guy, and that's all he wants, tell him you'll take a pass.