DEAR ABBY: Last weekend I went camping with my family and a friend. I met a really special guy who I fell for right away. The problem is, I told him I was 17 (I am 15).
He is 17. Now I am worried that he will be mad at me for lying and think I am too young. The reason I told him I was older is because a lot of guys think I'm too young even before they get to know me. I look 17 and am very mature.
I don't think age should matter if two people really like each other. How do I convince him that I like him so much, and that I'm sorry for lying? -- SORRY I LIED IN YUBA CITY, CALIF.
DEAR SORRY: Age does matter during the teen years, and so does the degree of maturity. Some 17-year-old "boys" are men -- and much depends upon his degree of maturity at age 17. Liking him so much that you lied about your age is not much of a defense, but my advice is just to be straightforward and tell him what you've told me. Lying about one's age is, in itself, immature. But if he likes you enough, perhaps he'll be forgiving.