DEAR ABBY: I am 13 and have a problem with my friend "Will." He transferred to my school last year, and I seem to be his only friend. It has become a problem because I have other friends I like to hang out with.
Will is not a good "people" person. He's hard to have around when I have parties, and he constantly interrupts me when I'm trying to talk to other kids. He just doesn't know the right things to say. Also, he comes from a very wealthy family, and sometimes makes sick jokes about middle-class people. This has offended me and some of my friends.
Will is obsessed with politics and likes to strike up debates with me over petty issues. It's really annoying. His obsession with politics makes people think he's a geek. He really can be sometimes, but he's also a nice guy.
My main problem is that at lunch he follows me around when I go to talk to my other friends. When I move to another part of the table, he moves, too -- right across from me -- so I can't talk without him butting in. He's like a maggot sticking to me!
I wish he could find some other friends and not hang out with me all the time. I like him as a person, but what can I do to make him stop following me? -- BUGGED IN CHATHAM, N.J.
DEAR BUGGED: Level with him privately and tell him exactly what you have told me. You would be doing him a kindness. Explain to him that while you like him, you also need to spend time with your other friends -- and to please make other seating arrangements a couple of days a week. That way, you're not cutting him off completely.