Your idea of giving thank-you cards is lovely and a great way to end the year on a positive note! If you’re handing cards out to the whole team, it’s best to keep the approach consistent so it doesn’t feel like you’re singling anyone out. Asking this one colleague for a separate catch-up could send mixed signals, especially if others aren’t invited.

Instead, give them their card in the same way as everyone else, smile, wish them happy holidays, and maybe add a short personal note inside like: “I’ve really enjoyed chatting with you this year hope we get more chances to catch up in the new year!” That keeps things friendly and natural without putting pressure on either of you. Over time, rapport usually grows through small, relaxed interactions rather than big gestures.

Hi, it’s definitely not too early to hand out New Year cards at the end of term, lots of people do this when they won’t see friends again until January. It’s a lovely idea, and adding a personal touch will make them even more special.

You could write something like:
“Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year! Thank you for being such a great friend this year—I’ve loved spending time with you and can’t wait for more fun in the year ahead.”

Or:
“Wishing you a Happy New Year filled with happiness and success! Thanks for all the laughs and support this year, you’ve made it amazing.”

It can feel really hard when something you love starts to feel like a competition, especially with someone who’s supposed to be your best friend.

The truth is, dance is meant to bring you joy, not stress, and you’ve already shown so much maturity by wanting to keep your friendship strong. When your friend gets praised or talks about her scores, try to remind yourself that her success doesn’t take away from your talent. You’re both amazing in your own ways, and being in different categories means you’re not even truly competing. If she makes a comment, just smile and say something like, “Well done! I’m just happy to be part of this and enjoy what I do.” That simple response can take the pressure off and show you’re not trying to one-up her.

If things still feel tense, it’s okay to gently talk to her. You could say, “I love dancing with you, but I don’t want us to feel like we’re competing all the time. Can we just enjoy this together?” Sometimes friends don’t realise how their words affect us until we share how we feel.

Remember, your worth isn’t measured by scores or compliments, it’s in the passion you bring to your dancing. Keep focusing on what makes you happy, and let the rest fall away. 

It sounds like you’re carrying a lot of mixed emotions right now, relief because you’ve stepped away from something unhealthy, but also guilt and sadness because you care about this person and don’t want them to feel hurt. That’s a really human response, and it shows how empathetic you are.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

 Why you feel guilty

• You invested a lot in this friendship, so it’s natural to feel responsible for their feelings.
• But remember: caring too much was part of what made the dynamic unhealthy. You were being manipulated and pressured, and that’s not sustainable.

 Why this decision is healthy

• Setting boundaries isn’t cruel, it’s self-care.
• You’re not cutting them off completely; you’re just creating space so you can both grow without the unhealthy dependency.

What to do now

• Keep it polite but distant: Smile, say hi if you want, but don’t re-engage deeply.
• Remind yourself of your reasons: Write down why you needed this change. When guilt creeps in, revisit that list.
• Let time do its work: They may feel sad now, but this could help them learn healthier patterns too.

You’ve made a brave choice, and it’s okay to feel conflicted. Both things can be true: you care about them, and you need to protect your mental well-being.

Yes! If someone is bullying you, standing up for yourself and letting them think an adult is aware can really help. Often, that’s all it takes for people to realise they’re being unkind and stop. You didn’t do anything wrong what matters is that you made it clear their behaviour isn’t okay.

If they keep bothering you or start again, it’s important to tell a trusted adult for real, like your mum or a teacher, so you have support. You deserve to feel safe and respected at school.

It sounds like you’re feeling left out and that’s really tough, especially when you’re trying to settle into a new school and make friends. What you’re experiencing is actually pretty common in high school, especially when some people already have a long history together. The twins might not realise how their behaviour is making you feel, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating.

Here are a few things you could try:

1. Talk to your main friend privately. Let her know how you’re feeling not in a blaming way, but something like:
“Sometimes I feel invisible when we’re all together. I really value hanging out with you, but I’d love to feel more included.”
This gives her a chance to support you and maybe help balance things out.

2. Join the conversation actively. If the twins are talking to your friend, try jumping in with a question or comment. It can feel awkward at first, but even small contributions help you feel more present.

3. Suggest doing something one-on-one. Invite your main friend to hang out just the two of you sometimes. That can strengthen your bond and make you feel less dependent on the group dynamic.

4. Keep your options open. High school is full of opportunities to meet new people clubs, sports, classes. Building a wider circle can take the pressure off this one group.

Three weeks isn’t that long, so try to enjoy Christmas at home with your family and friends without stressing about it too much. If you’d like to keep the connection going, send him a quick text on Christmas Eve wishing him a happy Christmas and saying you’re looking forward to meeting up in the new year. It’s casual, friendly, and leaves the door open for 2026 without putting pressure on either of you.

I get why this feels stressful! Friend groups can change a lot between Year 7 and Year 8, and that can feel really confusing. The good news is, you don’t have to choose between people or feel left out. You can still be close with that one friend without needing to be super close with the other five like before. If they make a new WhatsApp group, that doesn’t mean your friendship with her is over, if she values you (and it sounds like she does), she’ll still want to chat with you one-on-one.

If you want to reconnect with the five, start small: say 'hi' in person, comment on something they like, or join in on a conversation without forcing it. Friendships take time to rebuild, and that’s okay.

And remember, if they don’t respond the way you hope, it’s not about you, sometimes people just drift. Focus on the people who make you feel comfortable and valued.

It sounds like you’re experiencing your very first crush, and that’s such an exciting (and sometimes confusing!) feeling. There’s no rush to do anything right now you don’t have to tell him or anyone else if you’re not ready. Crushes are a normal part of growing up, and it’s okay to just enjoy the feeling for now.

If you’d like to take small steps, here are some gentle ideas:

• Get to know him better: Next time you see him at a competition, try chatting a little. Ask about things you both have in common, people love when someone shows interest in them.
• Take it slow: There’s no need to imagine the future just yet. Friendships often grow naturally when you share interests.
• Be kind to yourself: Feeling shy is normal. You don’t have to force anything just let things happen at their own pace.

If you feel comfortable sharing this with your parents, keep it simple and honest. You could say something like, “I like someone,” and let the conversation flow from there. Parents often ask questions because they care about your safety and want to understand your feelings, not because they want to judge you. It’s completely normal for them to be curious.

Don’t worry if the conversation feels a little awkward at first. Crushes are a normal part of growing up, and most parents appreciate when their child trusts them enough to share. If you’re nervous, you can start by saying you want to talk about something personal, so they know it’s important to you. Being open helps build trust and makes it easier to talk about feelings in the future.

Not being blocked by an ex usually just means they don’t feel the need to cut off contact completely. Many exes can stay on good terms or even remain friends, so it’s not always a sign of anything deeper. It doesn’t have to be a complete break, but it’s important to respect their space and avoid checking their profile too often doing so can make it harder for you to move forward.

Now is the time to focus on yourself and your own growth. Whether they block you or not, the relationship has ended, and both of you deserve the chance to move on. Try to keep your attention on things that make you happy and confident, rather than reading into their actions online. Giving space is healthy for both sides.

Hi, it’s completely normal to feel peer pressure, especially when friends make something like smoking seem cool. But being the “good girl” isn’t a bad thing it actually shows strength and confidence in your choices. Smoking doesn’t make someone edgy; it damages your health, stains teeth, and leaves clothes and breath smelling bad. The truth is, people who respect you will admire that you’re smart enough to avoid something harmful, and any friendships should never depend on whether you smoke or not.

You don’t need to change who you are to be liked. Confidence comes from owning your choices, not copying others. If you want to feel more self-assured, focus on things that make you happy and proud, hobbies, style, or goals that reflect who you are. The right friends will appreciate you for being authentic, not for pretending to be someone else. Being yourself is way more “badass” than following a trend that hurts you.

I’m really sorry to hear how upset this has made you. It’s never okay for someone to make hurtful comments about your body, especially when we’re all going through changes during puberty. The truth is, there’s no “perfect” body shape, every single one of us is unique and beautiful in our own way.

If you feel comfortable, try having a calm chat with your friend when things aren’t tense. Let her know that her comments were hurtful and that comparing bodies can make people feel bad. Sometimes people don’t realise the impact of what they say.

In the meantime, focus on the things you love about yourself, your personality, your talents, and the features that make you you. Puberty is tough enough without negative comparisons, so be kind to yourself. You’re amazing just as you are