DEAR ABBY: My friend, "Beth," set a trash can on fire at school. I was there and didn't tell on her. Then she turned around and told the principal I did it! The surveillance camera shows both Beth and me walking out of the girls' restroom where the fire occurred, but the tape doesn't show who set the fire.
Now I'm in major trouble. No one believes I'm innocent. Beth lied and left me in the dust! We're both suspended from school and have to appear in court with our parents. What if the judge blames it all on me? How should I handle this? I don't want to ruin our friendship. -- INNOCENT MIDDLE SCHOOLER
DEAR INNOCENT: Your friendship was ruined when your "friend" accused you to keep herself from being punished for what she did. Speak up and defend yourself. Offer to take a lie detector test if necessary -- and for heaven's sake have nothing more to do with Beth. She has burned you. Badly.