DEAR ABBY: I'm in high school, and I'm having some problems with my friend "Dave." I'm in every one of his classes, and he keeps coming to me and asking if I want to work with him. I need to say no, but I don't know how. It would be nice to work with other friends, but how do I tell that to Dave? -- CONNECTICUT SOPHOMORE
DEAR SOPHOMORE: Be frank with your friend. All you have to say is: "Dave, I like working with you -- but I also want to work with other people. If we both work with some of the others, it will keep us sharper." And if he indicates that he's taking it as a personal rejection, tell him it isn't true -- that you like him, but think it's not smart for either of you to limit yourselves. (It's the truth.)