DEAR ABBY: I have this friend, "Miranda." We share a lot of interests and I think we have the potential to be something amazing. I'm not a shy guy, but when I'm around her, I can't put my thoughts into words.
We will graduate from high school this year, and I'm afraid to lose touch with her and blow my chances of making our friendship progress. Any advice on what to do would be wonderful. -- MISSING OUT IN SAN DIEGO
DEAR MISSING OUT: At this point in your lives it would be premature to declare undying love. But it would be nice if you told Miranda that you think she's a special person and you'd like to stay in touch regardless of what directions your lives take you. That's a nonthreatening, huge compliment. And even if you haven't dated, she may be open to the idea of keeping up the contact. You'll never know if you don't try.