DEAR ABBY: There are two groups of girls in high school: the "cool" girls and the "not so cool" girls. I have good friends in each group, but the groups hate each other.
When I hang out with a friend in the "cool" group, my friend in the other group ignores me for the rest of the day -- and vice versa.
Abby, when school starts again, how should I handle this ridiculous situation? Help! -- CONFLICTED TEEN IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR CONFLICTED: You're already "handling it" very well by being your own person and not allowing yourself to be manipulated. Since you can't change other people, you must change the way YOU react to them. Be strong and do not allow either group to isolate you. There are great advantages in learning early how to get along with all kinds of people. Remember that.