DEAR ABBY: I am 11, and there is a boy I like. I'll call him "Cole." He knows I like him, and for Valentine's Day he gave me a necklace and earring set. All my friends, and even my mother, think that we are boyfriend and girlfriend. But I don't know for sure. I think the boy should ask the girl to be his girlfriend before they are officially boyfriend and girlfriend. Am I right or wrong? -- PERPLEXED IN MESQUITE, TEXAS
DEAR PERPLEXED: Sometimes boys are too shy to make a formal request. However, when a boy gives a girl a gift on Valentine's Day, you can be sure it means he has special feelings for her. I vote with your friends and mother.