is to look like yourself, not to look like someone else. So don’t overdo the cool. Get the movie star out of your head, and picture
yourself the way you were coming off the soccer field after the last
winning game.
You laugh like a hyena
Manuel cracks a joke. You go heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee
heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee
heehee—and can’t stop until the teacher walks up and raps on your desk.
Weird-O-Meter Rating:
Giggling too much makes you look hysterical. You’re just not good company
if you’re out of control. So close your mouth, freeze your chest, and hold
your breath for a moment. Glance away. Do something with your hands—
grab a pencil, fool with the straps of your backpack. Concentrate on pulling
yourself together, and don’t relax till you do.
who
likes
whom?
“liking” a boy
I have a group of really great friends who are each unique and
creative in their own way. Some of them happen to be boys.
There’s this one kid I’ve known since the third grade, but now
that we’re getting older, I’m starting to like him differently
(if you know what I mean).
Meg
Chances are that, for years, you’ve had certain ideas about the boys
around you.
The boys you’ve always liked will probably be the same kind of boys you
end up “liking.” In fact, some girls who have had boy buddies for years may
find that their feelings for them are beginning to change. Is that boy you
have fun talking to a “friend” or a “boyfriend”? All of a sudden, you may
not be quite sure.
getting to
know a boy
I would really like to have a boy for a friend.
Elizabeth
You may find yourself looking at a certain boy and wondering how you can
get to know him better.
For starters, be friendly. Run a smile up the flagpole. Say hi in the hall. If
you’re in the same study group, ask what he thinks of the new gym teacher
or compliment him on his orange socks. Trade tips if you sit behind him in
computer class. Show you’re interested.
Look for common interests, too.
Do you play the guitar?
Read fantasy novels?
Snowboard?
Kick a mean goal kick?
Maybe he does, too. Ask some questions,
and see what you share.
For that matter, if you’re looking for a boy
to be friends with, your own activities are
a great place to start. Doing something
fun together is the best way of getting
to know anybody—girl or boy. It’s just
a whole lot easier to feel relaxed with
a person if you’re both swept up in
shooting baskets or playing table
tennis or practicing your lines for the
class play—not just staring at each
other trying to think of what to say.
conversation starters
Things to say when you’re staring at a boy trying to think of what to say:
Ask about his activities. It’s friendly and gets him talking.
Schoolwork: a subject about which there is always something to say.
Jokes get a smile and invite a comeback. And making fun of yourself shows
you’re relaxed and approachable.
It can be fun to rehash the great parts from a movie or TV show.
If you’re not sure about a homework assignment, you’ve got to ask somebody.
Might as well be him.
what boys want
The guy I like is not popular or cute, but the thing is, he’s nice.
And he’s fun. He’s also cool. I’m not sure he likes me. I have not
tried to change myself, but I wonder if I should.
Crush crazy
You’ll know you have a crush on a boy if being near him feels a little like
the flu.
hot,
blushing
face
all
