DEAR ABBY: I faked a secret admirer. It's getting me a lot of attention, but I did it because I wanted to make my crush jealous. He thinks I'm faking, and I'm pretty sure he also thinks I'm needy and selfish. Now I don't know what to do. Can you help? -- SECRETLY LYING IN TEXAS
DEAR SECRETLY LYING: I'll try. When a technique doesn't work, it's time to change course. Quit talking about a secret admirer. If you are asked about him, just say, "It's over" -- which is less embarrassing than, "The jig is up." Why your crush would call you selfish, I can't guess. But if he asks you what happened, my advice is to say, "I like you better." That's the truth.