GIRLS!

This is probably the biggest change you will be experiencing over the next few years. Girls used to be one of those inconveniences you had to worry about, and now they are a distraction. There are some good reasons for this from a biological perspective, but that’s not going to help much here. Your body is getting ready for girls, but the mental processes are taking a while to catch up.

In other words, you are going to be experiencing some confusing times. Your body is going to go one way, and your mind another. You’re going to want to deal with girls, but you’re also going to be intimidated by them, even if you say otherwise. Just don’t treat them like boys, and you should be okay. Treat them like you would anyone else, and you should do okay. You’re going to strike out a lot if you’re looking for something more than just friendship, but realize that’s fine; you should just need to find out where the line between “person who asks too much” and “person who asks just the right number of time”. Find that line, and you’ll do great.

My personal theory is that boys treat girls too much like boys, and it messes everything up. Abusing girls is something all boys do up until puberty or so; until that point it’s a sign of affection. I know it sounds weird, but you want the girl to know you like her, but you also want to fit in with the other guys who hate girls, so you abuse the girl you like. When you hit puberty, you hope she has forgotten, but you back off her just a little back in case she holds that abuse against you. Let me clue you in on something: As long as you stop doing and treat her with respect, those past annoyances will be treated as love taps, and she will look on them in a good light.

And some other tips: Make sure that you bathe regularly and give it at least passing notice to your looks. Girls like clean, well-groomed boys. Learn how to dance and attend school dances regularly; better yet, get on the dance floor as soon as you can, and don’t be afraid to ask the girls to dance. You may not always get the nod, but at least you’re trying, and that puts you leagues ahead of the rest; eventually you will get all the nods you’ll ever want.

So just remember to play nice, ignore past indiscretions, and always ask for permission; that should at least get you started.