CRUSHES

I love my BF, but apparently so do a lot of other girls. They are constantly hanging around him, saying how hot he is, and one time a girl gave HIM a valentine! He tries to make them back off, but they won't listen. How do I show them that I'm staking my territory?

Besides kindly asking girls to "please stop" in situations where you are present and uncomfortable with their inappropriate, flirtatious behavior, there's not a whole lot you can do. But don't worry! You and your lovable BF, as a team, can work to stop the outward affections of other girls.

Have a heart-to-heart with your BF and tell him that you care about him and it really bugs you when other girls flaunt their feelings for him. The next time he encounters a not-so-secret admirer, ask him to simply tell her, "I have a girlfriend" and walk away. You shouldn't have to "stake your territory" if your guy steps up and helps make a fence around the territory. He's capable of fending off other ladies. Help him find civil, effective statements and actions to stop the love-fest.

Luckily, in the end, what all those other girls do doesn't even matter. If you like your BF, your BF likes you, and you both trust each other, then those other girls are just a nuisance and pose no real threat to your relationship. Make sure to get a little one-on-one time (outside of school) with your guy where you can avoid unwanted attention. At the park or the mall or a movie, you can enjoy each other's company, without the flirtarazzi.