CRUSHES

Dear Don’t Wanna Hurt,

It’s understandable that you fear getting hurt. Still, it’s OK to opt out for now, but don’t opt out forever. Real relationships are worth it—even if it means getting a little burned along the way. Someday, a guy might seem worth the effort of pursuit and the risk of heartache. But it’s sensible to skip the middle-school drama and wait for the boys to mature. 

For now, focus on friends, family, studies, activities and yourself. If you do develop a crush, a good way to protect yourself from too much hurt is to keep your life in balance and not obsess over him 24/7.