Dear Carol,

There’s a guy in my homeroom class who I met this year. We get along really well—we make each other laugh and understand each other. The spring dance is coming up, and I know we’ll both be there. I want to ask him if he’d go with me, but just as a friend, so he’ll know I’m not trying to get serious.

-Friend or More?

Dear Friend or More?,

A homeroom flirtation? Best problem in my inbox! But don’t ask him, “Will you go with me as a friend?” because this could be confusing. In fact, he might wish he could write an advice columnist to say, “She asked me to go with her as a friend, but I was hoping for more.” For now, why not enjoy the joking and conversation and try not to push things? You could text, “I’m glad we’re both going to the spring formal. Save a dance for me?” Just be careful about using the word “friend” if you’re hoping things might blossom into romance someday.

Carol Weston is the author of 16 books, including Girltalk, Speed of Life and Ava and Pip. Follow her on Insta @carolwestonnyc and visit carolweston.com.

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