Q - Dear Annabelle, I have spent most of this summer with a girl who I live 10 minutes from and also go to college with. We were friends at school, but nothing special. At the start of June, we were both involved with other people, but mutually agreed that we should spend more time with each other due to our similar interests. In the past 2 months, I have become a friend of her family members, and typically spend 4 full nights a week with her after work. Recently, she broke up with her boyfriend, and I, in June, with my girlfriend. In the past 2 weeks, I have become attracted to her in more than just a friendly way. A few of our mutual friends have told me that they think we should be together, to which I used to laugh at, but now they laugh at me. Anyway, I expressed my feelings to her on Monday before we went out. She said that she sensed my changing feelings, admitted to thinking about "us", and said that,t if we were together, things would change (for the better, she admitted). She, however, says "I don't know" and claims that she doesn't think I would want to know her "other side" that apparently I don't see during the time we are not together. Annabelle, everyone has skeletons, I know this, and we are very up front with each other. We wrote a 10 page story together, have similar music and recreational interests, and obviously enjoy each otherās company. Despite the tension of Monday night, we went out, and went out again last night. Tonight we are playing board games with her parents and sister! Why won't this beautiful person open her heart to me? I don't give her the puppy dog treatment, just respect and equal treatment that I expect from her. We share also, she even buys dinner or late night snacks for me sometimes, and our communication is always stimulating. Is there anything apparent to you which is keeping her from deciding her feelings, and anything that I may be able to do, (or avoid), to help my chances? Also, her breakup with her boyfriend had been for a while, actually, but I wanted to make sure she didn't have any repercussions or feelings in the way, which she said are definitely gone. I hope this wasn't too long, I just wanted to ensure that you know as much as possible about the situation- hopefully I'll see a response to this before tonight's board games. :) A - Dear Red, I know you were hoping to get an immediate answer, however you overlooked a couple of things. One, Ms. Annabelle is awash in email and, two, YOU DIDNāT INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDY!! (So you have to wait Ītil all the monthās mail gets uploaded, presuming Ms. Annabelle has even the time to attend to all of it! (Iām not perfect). You kinda went into overword, and I can make the answer mercifully short. Youāre both young. You are in an exploratory stage where you could develop into a nice relationship. You sound as if youāre going about it the right way. I know itās hard to take advice, but, since you asked, just donāt take things too, too seriously. Who know, it may work out, it may not work out....life is long and the world is full of people. Youāre in a very tender stage in your lives right now ..........wonderful things are just wonderful and dreadful things hurt like blazes. I wish you all of the former an very little of the latter. (You have to have some of the latter to have balance). - Annabelle