Cool intentions
Klutz encounters
Should you fall victim to dreamy-eyed clumsiness while you’re with your honey, don’t try to play it cool. Instead, get in touch with your inner distressed damsel: Give a playful pout and offer up an injured “ouch”. Then smile. Your guy’s protective side will surface as he rushes to help.
Gossip-mill mania
You’re nursing a secret yen for a certain someone; you tell a few friends and suddenly you’re feeling like tabloid fodder for the school paper. Switching school is not an option, but you still need to do some damage control.
First, find out who spilled. If a big-mouthed friend has gone public with the name of your crush, resist the urge to spread rumors about her. View her unfortunate loose lips as an opportunity to make contact. While the buzz about you two is still hot, catch your crush’s eye, smile and shrug your shoulders as if to say, “Can you believe how much talk we’re generating?” If he seems receptive, follow up with something bolder, like “Well, I guess my secret is out.”
Family flubs
There are easily one hundred ways you can blow it in front of his parents. Let’s say you woke his dad with a post –X Files phone call. Blurting out “I didn’t think anybody under 75 went to bed this early” is the wrong move. Instead, get your honey to initiate peace talks with his folks, letting them know you’re both sorry (after all, you didn’t make that late-night call to nobody). Then follow up with a short note apologising for your actions. Sending a nice note will win his parents’ forgiveness and their respect.
Bodily malfunctions
A mathematical formula exists stating that the longer you hang out in someone’s presence, the more likely your body is to do something wacky in front of him (love squared = humiliation x months). Maybe you’ll suck down a Coke and let out a belch, or you’ll sneeze something into your sweetie’s collar. Don’t fight the inevitable flaming blush, but also, don’t forget to consider your options. You can either ignore such transgressions or use humour to deflect them. A good rule of thumb: The grosser the breach, the better the’It Didn’t Happen’ strategy works.
Crisscrossed wires
Sometimes a crush communiqué can go astray before it even reaches its intended audience. Time is of the essence here; you have to set all parties straight before feelings get hurt. Console yourself by thinking of what a funny story this will make once you and your intended are actually a couple. Then get busy on your fix: Tell the wrong boy that while he’s cute and all, he was the victim of a faulty message system. And then, if you still want the right guy to be clued in to your intense adoration, drop some more hints.
Wrongful accusations
Irrational jealousy can be so embarrassing. When your Sherlock Holmes skills have led you down the wrong road of suspicion, summon your grace – and learn from your mistake. Apologise, have a good laugh and end it there. Don’t keep mentioning it (as in, “I can’t believe I thought you were cheating…”). That will emphasise your distrust. And the next time you discover evidence of supposed wrongdoing, ask him – before things get out of control.
Serious disasters
When you’ve done something completely nuts, allow some time to heal your wounded pride. Once you’ve recovered, crack your own joke: “Well, that got rid of my split ends.” Or, “I love the smell of burnt hair, don’t you?” This shows that you’re secure and opens up a line of flirtation with the boy.


