DEAR ABBY: I'm a 13-year-old girl. My friend "Bailey" and I both like the same boy but didn't want him to come between us. We made a pact that we wouldn't ask him out.
Bailey can be selfish, and I know she'd say yes if he asked her. When I told her my friendship with her meant more to me than the boy, she laughed and said that meant she'd get him. I'm not sure what to do. I have liked him longer than she has, and I think he likes me back. He knows me much better at least.
If he asks me, should I say yes and risk my friend getting hurt, even though I know she'd say yes in my place? -- A READER IN MISSOURI
DEAR READER: When you told Bailey your friendship with her meant more than the boy, her response showed that your friendship is less important to her than he is, and the pact means nothing to her. If the boy likes you, he will probably ask you out to do something. If he does -- and your parents agree -- you should accept. I say this because I don't think Bailey is a true friend at all.