DEAR ABBY: I am 16 and a junior in high school. My best friend says there may be something wrong with me. When I was younger, I was a hard-core tomboy. I stayed that way until I got to be 13.
Finally, in my freshman year of high school, I began to wear makeup on occasion -- but to this day, I have never been interested in dating guys. I mean I like guys, but I don't care to DATE them. People look at me like I'm crazy when they hear me say that. Once a guy I know said he thought I was gay. I'm not. Now my friend is saying I might have a problem.
Abby, do I? Is it OK not to be drooling over guys right now? Should I date so people won't get the impression I'm gay? Please help. -- NOT INTERESTED IN NORTH CAROLINA
DEAR NOT INTERESTED: No, and it is OK not to be obsessed with boys right now. Not everyone -- male or female -- matures at the same rate. I have received letters from readers telling me they didn't become seriously interested in a romantic relationship until they were 18 or 19, or even older. You may be a late bloomer.
People are "coming out" much earlier than they used to, and were you attracted to people of the same sex, you would probably know it. If you don't think you're gay, you probably aren't. Do not allow yourself to be pressured into dating until you are ready. To do otherwise would be doing yourself and the other person a disservice.