DEAR ABBY: I am an 11-year-old girl with a confusing problem. There's this neighborhood boy named "Brian" who is my age. He really gets on my nerves. Practically every day after school, Brian asks if he can play with me or my sister. We always say no, because he's a loudmouth at school and causes problems.
One day my sister and I were walking home from school, and Brian asked for a piece of paper. He had the nerve to write me a love note! It was obvious from the note that he has a crush on me. He said he couldn't tell me to my face because I'm always rude to him.
What I don't understand is how he can have a crush on me when he acts like such a jerk at school.
Please help me, Abby. I can't take it any longer. Could you give me a solution for Brian's annoying behavior? -- OVERHEATED GIRL IN SPRINGFIELD, ORE.
DEAR OVERHEATED GIRL: Brian's acting like a jerk because he's trying to get you to notice him. He's young and doesn't know any other way to accomplish it.
If I were you, I'd try to be a little more tolerant and accept the fact that he likes you as a compliment. Look at it this way: When someone admires somebody else, it's not intended as an insult. And besides, he might become more attractive as he ages -- so don't burn your bridges.