DEAR ABBY: I am only 11, but I'm having boy trouble. I like this guy whose name is "Rusty." He is in the fifth grade with me. He asked me to meet him at the movie. I said yes, but my parents said no, and I didn't show. Now he hates me. What should I do? -- SAD CHICK, ANNISTON, ALA.
DEAR SAD CHICK: Being stood up is humiliating. Rusty probably feels more hurt than hate. A step in the right direction would be to apologize for standing him up and explain the reason why you did it. That way, he will know YOU don't hate HIM.