Dear Caro

I'm crushing on this guy, but I'm scared he's out of my league.

- BY CAROL WESTON

OUT OF MY LEAGUE

He's cute and nice and funny, but I feel very...average. Our friend groups don't interact much-and I know that some girls from his group are crushing on him, too. Should I give up?

Dear Out Of My League,

Give up? Why not make a tiny, safe, innocuous move first? Like, smile and say hi in the hall or at lunch. Don't send him a note, and don't ask a friend to quiz him on his feelings. But can you subtly pay him a compliment or laugh at a joke? If he's sweet back, good. If he doesn't seem to notice you noticing him, then put this crush on the back burner. Either way, you're more than average. I bet you are cute and nice and funny, too.

TWO-FACED FRIEND

I have a best friend who's like my sister (we've shared *everything* with each other), but recently there's been a lot of drama, and I am suspicious she's two-faced. The thought of not being friends makes me want to throw up because just a couple years ago, I had a different best friend who betrayed me, and I was sick over it for half a year. The idea of going through that again terrifies me. And my current best friend is the only one who truly supports my dream life. I don't want to be blindsided (again), but I feel like if I let go of the friendship, I'll be devastated and filling the void will be impossible.

Dear Two-Faced Friend,