DEAR ABBY: I am a freshman in high school. This guy I like is very sweet, but he has a girlfriend. He likes me a lot, too, but he doesn't want anyone to be hurt so he's reluctant to break up with her. I told him I won't wait forever, and he told me he's trying to get her to break up with him.
He doesn't accept her calls, doesn't take her anywhere, and has asked his friends to tell her bad things about him. She refuses to get the message.
How can we get the point across to her without hurting her more than necessary? Did I mention that he's sweet, sensitive, caring and CUTE! -- IN LOVE IN GRAND RAPIDS
DEAR IN LOVE: He may be sweet, sensitive, caring and cute, but the boy is also too immature to realize that his unwillingness to level with his girlfriend will hurt her more in the long run than telling her the truth. Unless he speaks up, the girl will continue to hang on because she has nothing to lose. The sooner she hurts and heals, the sooner she can begin looking for someone who will truly care for her.
Now a word of caution to you: Watch carefully how he treats this girl, because chances are great that it's the way you will be treated one day.