HEY, CHERIE!
I want to know if I am weird. I am a 16-year-old girl, and I have one friend. I know a lot of people and I am not antisocial, but I have just one person I would call my friend. Her name is Cassie, and we have been friends since she moved to my town in fifth grade.
Cassie and I can tell each other anything and talk about everything; we know that we will never betray each other. I know this for a fact because Cassie knows a lot about me and my secrets; however, she has never told anyone.
There are some guys who are friendly to me, but we're not really friends. In my opinion, I think most people have too many friends – people they hang out with, but who don't really know them all that well.
What Cassie and I have is a special kind of connection. Don't get me wrong – I like boys, and I am not romantically attached to Cassie. It's just that we have a friendship that is different from most people.
I want to know if I am weird.
– One Real Friend
HEY, ONE!
The older I get the more I think that friendship, like love, is a magical thing. There can be a person with the same interests and background as you but you don't connect at all. But then there's someone else, different as can be, where the connection is magical and life-changing.
I am a little like you, One. I have one best friend from when I was a girl and a few other friends since then. But I do not find it easy to become really close to people, though I am a friendly person.
I don't think you are weird in the least. In fact, I'd say that Cassie is lucky to be your bud. Cherish it. One day I hope you can look back on 80 years of an extraordinary friendship.
Here's a good project: Get your picture taken together on the same day every year and put those in an album for
posterity.
HEY, CHERIE!
Brett broke up with me last week. We are both 15 and have been together for two months. He didn't have a real reason. All he said was that he wanted to break up.
Then Brett called me again last night. He said he was an idiot and wants to get back together.
Would I be crazy to say yes?
– Brett's Ex
HEY, BRETT'S!
First a letter about being weird, then one about being crazy. No. You wouldn't be crazy to say yes; however, if I were you, I'd want one serious discussion with Brett.
What was he thinking? How did he think you'd feel? Why should you think he wouldn't do it again? And again?
Cherie Bennett writes books for teens and young adults. Send e-mail to: family@uniontrib.com or write to her c/o Family, The San Diego Union-Tribune, P.O. Box 120191, San Diego, CA 92112-0191 and send a self-addressed stamped envelope for a personal reply.
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