Hi there, what you’re describing is completely normal, especially around age 12. During puberty, your body and emotions start changing quite quickly, and with that often comes crushes, curiosity, and mixed feelings about relationships. Liking the idea of a boy one minute and not wanting a boyfriend at all the next is honestly very common.

The important thing to know is that having feelings doesn’t mean you have to act on them. You don’t need a boyfriend, and there’s no rush to label how you feel or decide anything at all. A lot of people your age have crushes that come and go, or feelings that feel confusing or intense... that’s just part of growing up.

Give yourself time there’s no right or wrong way to feel, and no timeline you have to follow. You’re doing exactly what you’re meant to be doing: learning about yourself, one feeling at a time

If your crush has a girlfriend, (and this happens a lot) it’s okay to still have those feelings, after all you can’t just switch them off. But if you’re hoping it might turn into something more one day, it’s important to respect that they’re currently off‑limits.

The kindest thing you can do for yourself is to create a bit of space. Try to keep busy, spend time with other friends, and avoid putting yourself in situations where you’re constantly thinking about them or comparing yourself to their girlfriend. That space helps your feelings calm down naturally over time.

It might not feel like it now, but crushes do fade, especially when you stop feeding them. And who knows? You may end up liking someone who’s actually available and just as nice (if not nicer). 

Hi I’m really glad you said something, because this is a tough spot to be in. It does sound like your friends might be relying on you a bit too much, especially if they’re asking for photos of finished homework rather than actual help. That can leave you feeling used, even if they didn’t mean it that way at first.

Here’s the thing to remember (and this bit matters):

• You are not being mean by protecting your own work.
• You are not responsible for their grades.

It’s important to remember that you’re not being unkind by protecting your own work. Copying doesn’t help them learn, and when exams come around, it’s your understanding that will matter most. If saying a straight‑up “no” feels too awkward, it’s okay to step back quietly take longer to reply, say you were busy, or say you’re happy to explain but not send pictures.

In the long run, this is better for everyone. They’ll have to learn to figure things out for themselves, and you won’t be left feeling guilty or pressured. Real friends will respect your boundaries and you deserve friendships that feel fair, not exhausting.

It makes total sense that you’re feeling confused, there’s a lot going on here at once. When people start casually sharing “who likes who”, especially in a group, it can feel exciting but also overwhelming, particularly if you’re not great with social cues. Romantic feelings (and semi‑romantic ones) can feel really intense at this age, not because anything dramatic is “supposed” to happen, but because your brain is learning how closeness, attention, and affection feel. It’s easy for your thoughts to start racing, replaying conversations and wondering what everything meant...and that’s very normal during puberty!

That said, the most important thing right now is to slow things down and remove pressure. You already have a girlfriend, and she deserves honesty and care, even while you’re figuring out confusing feelings. You don’t need to decide anything about R, S, or a QPR right now, there is genuinely no rush. For now, focus on enjoying time with friends, laughing, doing normal everyday things, and keeping busy. If someone does have clearer feelings for you, they’ll let you know in their own time  and when things are right, it won’t feel like you have to force or analyse every moment. Confusion doesn’t mean something is wrong; it just means you’re learning. 

Crushes really can be lovely and dizzying, unsettling, all‑consuming at the same time. What you’re describing is incredibly common, especially when a crush is tied up with nostalgia, safety, and unfinished feelings. This boy isn’t just a person you like, he represents a time when you felt secure, known, and connected. Seeing him again stirred all of that back up, and your mind is now racing to fill in gaps, rewrite memories, and imagine what might have been. That doesn’t mean you’re delusional, dramatic, or silly, it means your feelings are doing what feelings do when they don’t have closure. And low self‑esteem can make this louder, whispering that you’re invisible or unlovable, even though there’s no real evidence for that at all.

This may not be what you want to hear, but the kindest advice right now is to ground yourself in everyday life. Keep seeing friends, plan things with family, stay busy, and gently redirect your thoughts when they spiral into “what ifs.” Fantasy and replaying moments will only fuel your anxiety and make the feeling feel bigger than it needs to be. If your brother and he reconnect and he naturally comes back into your life, you can cross that bridge then, with real interactions rather than imagined ones. Until that happens, try to let the scenarios go, they’re understandable, but they’re not very helpful. You don’t need to act, confess, or decide anything right now. Feelings don’t mean instructions. Sometimes the bravest thing is letting life unfold at its own pace and trusting that, in time, clarity will come without you forcing it.

First, take a breath...there is nothing wrong with you. Attraction isn’t a single switch that flips on or off, and it’s not a moral failing if it doesn’t line up neatly. For most people, attraction has more than one layer: emotional, intellectual, and physical. Emotional chemistry can be powerful and real all on its own, and physical attraction is often one of the first things that sparks romantic feelings, but it doesn’t always follow, and it doesn’t have to. Not feeling that physical pull doesn’t make you vain, it just means your feelings are more nuanced than a fairytale narrative suggests. You clearly care deeply about M, you admire her, you’re drawn to who she is and that matters, and it’s genuine, even if it isn’t romantic in the way people expect.

For now, the kindest thing, to her and to yourself is exactly what you’re already doing: staying close friends without forcing a label or a decision. You don’t need to figure out the future right now, and you don’t need to put pressure on feelings to become something they’re not ready to be. Life has a way of letting relationships evolve naturally if they’re meant to, without being pushed or over-analysed. Enjoy the connection you have, protect it, and trust yourself enough to know that if something changes, you’ll handle it with care. And if nothing changes? That doesn’t mean anything was missing it just means what you shared was real in the way it was meant to be.

Try not to jump to conclusions just yet. There may be a perfectly innocent reason you weren’t included, such as them thinking you already had plans or assuming you wouldn’t be interested. Rather than keeping it bottled up, it’s okay to calmly ask what’s going on and whether you can come along. Sometimes things like this turn out to be a misunderstanding, and giving your friends the chance to explain can save a lot of unnecessary worry

Hi, crushes can be fun, confusing, and slightly chaotic, especially when different people in a friend group know different bits of information and your own feelings add extra layers to the situation. From what you’ve described, there are a few signs that your friend might have a soft spot for you: the cheek kiss, the flustered reaction when the other friend mentioned “the crush thing,” and the fact that they clearly didn’t want to admit it in front of everyone. These kinds of behaviours often show that someone feels something but is shy, unsure, or worried about making things awkward.

At the same time, it’s important not to jump to conclusions. Some people are naturally affectionate, some are playful, some express friendship in very warm ways, and some have multiple crushes at once without those crushes necessarily being serious or romantic. The only way to know for sure is if they choose to tell you, and that usually happens when someone feels comfortable, safe, and not pressured.

For now, the best thing you can do is notice how they behave consistently: do they go out of their way to spend time with you? Do they act differently around you compared to others? Do they get shy or excited when you talk to them?

For the moment, you don’t need to overthink it. Enjoy the connection, keep things relaxed, and let the situation unfold naturally. If they do have a crush, it will most likely become clear, and then you can decide how you feel and what you want to do with that information.

Hi, my first period story, is most likely the same as other girls of that age.

I was actually the last one in my friendship group to get my period, and honestly, but they never made me feel left out as I waited for it to arrive. I was 14 when it finally arrived, I just woke up one morning, went to the loo, and there it was. Luckily, my nan (I lived with my nan and grandad) had left some pads in my room, and my friends had already filled me in on what to expect, so I didn’t feel totally clueless. Still, it took me a while to get used to wearing pads they felt so bulky at first, and I was convinced everyone could see it through my clothes! I even worried that if a boy pinched my bum (which was a thing at my school), he’d feel it. That’s actually why I switched to tampons pretty quickly. Looking back, it was all a lot less scary than I thought it would be, and talking to my friends really helped.

What was your first experience like?

How exciting, your first date! The best thing you can do is just be yourself. Wear something you feel comfy and confident in so you’re not fidgeting or worrying about your clothes. Keep the conversation light and fun, things like favourite movies, music, school, hobbies, or funny stories always help break the ice.

Most importantly, relax and enjoy it. First dates aren’t about acting a certain way, they’re just about getting to know each other and having a nice time. You’ve got this!

It’s great that you to want to respect both your partner and your friendship, that already shows you’re not trying to hurt anyone. When you’re in a relationship, the safest thing is always open communication. Let your partner know, in simple terms, that you and your friend sometimes have a playful dynamic linked to your head mates, and that it’s important to you but not romantic in a real‑world way. Most people who care about you will want to understand the things that matter to you, especially if you explain it gently and honestly.

The same goes for your friend, you can set a calm boundary together, like agreeing that if both of you “shift” at the same time, you keep things to sweet gestures and avoid anything that might blur into relationship territory. As long as everyone is aware, comfortable, and respected, you won’t jeopardise anything. The key is being open, checking in with each person, and making sure no one feels left out or confused. 

Yes! It is totally okay not to have a crush on anyone right now. There’s no rule about when you’re “supposed” to start liking people, and everyone grows and feels things at their own pace. Some people get crushes really early, and some don’t feel that way until their late teens or even adulthood, all of it is completely normal.

You’re not behind, you’re not missing anything, and there’s absolutely no rush. Crushes will happen naturally if and when you’re ready, and until then you can just enjoy friendships and being yourself.

Hi Aoife, it’s really normal to feel left out when old friends make plans right in front of you, especially when you’re not part of that group anymore. Friendships can change a lot during puberty, people grow in different directions, and it can feel awkward or confusing. I don’t think they were trying to upset you on purpose, but it still makes sense that it didn’t feel great.

As you settle into your new friend group, you’ll start building your own plans and fun memories, and you might even be organising a sleepover soon too. My best advice is to keep things friendly with your old friends. You don’t need to fall out, just smiling or saying 'hi' when you see them is enough. It keeps everything calm and shows you’re moving forward in a positive way.

First of all, it's totally normal to feel all over the place with crushes at 14. Honestly, you’re doing great just by trying to figure your own feelings out. 

Crushes can feel super confusing when there are a few different people involved, especially when some of them might like you back. It’s totally normal to feel differently about each boy, liking A and B as people but not having that same butterfly‑feeling you get with C. It’s also okay to have mixed feelings about the boy who sits behind you; sometimes it takes a bit of time to figure out whether it’s a real crush or just a momentary feeling. You don’t have to make any big decisions right now, and there’s no pressure to sort out every emotion at once. Keeping A and B as friends is absolutely fine, and you can gently make it clear in conversation that you really value having guy friends without any romantic stuff getting in the way.

With C, it might help to just see how things naturally go over the next few weeks. If you’re chatting a lot already and the vibe feels good, that’s a great sign. He might also be aware of the rumours about A and B, so if he does like you, he’ll probably show it in small ways, wanting to talk to you, making you laugh, finding reasons to be around you. If you decide you do want to ask him out, it doesn’t have to be a huge dramatic moment. Something simple like, “I really like talking to you, do you want to hang out sometime?” is totally okay at 14 and not too intense. Take your time, trust your instincts, and remember: you’re allowed to move at whatever pace feels right for you.

It’s completely natural that, now you’re getting used to your period, you might want to talk about it with your close friends, so don’t feel guilty about that at all. What your friend is feeling is also really common. When you haven’t started your period yet and others around you have, it can make you feel “behind,” even though there’s no set timetable for puberty.

The best thing you can do is keep including her in the conversation in a way that doesn’t make her feel pressured. You can reassure her that everyone develops at their own pace and there’s nothing unusual about her body taking its time. If she ever has questions or wants to talk about what to expect, you can let her know you’re happy to chat, and you can also tell her she’s welcome to use this site for reassurance too.

Most importantly, she doesn’t have to have started her period for you two to support each other. Your friendship isn’t based on being at the same stage of puberty, you can still talk openly, share what you’re learning, and check in with each other when you need someone to talk to.

You could leave him a small note saying that you’ve enjoyed spending time with him at school and that you wish him well for the future. There’s no need to share your deeper feelings right now keeping it simple can make things feel a lot easier.

This way, you still let him know you’re thinking of him, but it takes the pressure off both of you.

Hi Emmy, crushes can feel really exciting at any age, and it’s completely normal to have those feelings. However, at 10 years old, dating, or even sharing those feelings might not be the most appropriate step just yet. It’s a time to focus on growing, learning, and enjoying life in other ways.

It’s also important to remember that the person you have a crush on is 18, which means he’s an adult man, not a boy your own age. That difference matters and makes the situation more complicated.

For now, it might be better to put your energy into things that make you happy, like spending time with family, exploring hobbies, and having fun with friends.

Possibly this boy likes lots of girls and is not yet ready to commit to anything more serious. So as he is giving so many girls mixed signals, take your time, chat to him when you see him, but don't be in a rush to declare your feelings until you now for sure how he feels.

Hi Suri, it makes complete sense that you’re feeling overwhelmed, because figuring out your sexuality at 13 can be confusing, emotional, and honestly a lot, especially when friends start opening up too. Everything you’ve described, questioning yourself, coming out to a few trusted people, and hearing that others might have feelings or labels of their own is completely normal. You’re not doing anything wrong, and there’s no “right” way to react when friends ask questions or share their own identities.

With AE, the most important thing is to remember that being close friends and talking about this stuff doesn’t automatically mean anything needs to change. Even if she did have a crush on you, you don’t owe anyone a crush back, and there’s no pressure to figure out feelings on the spot. You handled her questions really well, and it’s okay to just keep being her friend the same way you always have. Friendship doesn’t suddenly turn complicated unless one of you wants to talk about it more and you get to move at a pace that feels comfortable and safe for you.

You’ve also been really thoughtful about who you come out to, and that shows a lot of self-awareness for your age. Telling supportive friends but not your parents yet is something lots of young people choose, and it’s completely okay to wait until you feel older, more confident, or more ready, your timeline is your timeline. For now, the best thing you can do is keep being honest with yourself, enjoy your friendships, and let things unfold naturally without putting pressure on yourself to “do” anything just because you know your identity. 

HI, it sounds like you’ve had a really big day, and it makes total sense that you’re feeling overwhelmed. Tourette’s can make school feel harder, especially when SATs practice is stressful and your tics get stronger.

None of this is your fault. Speaking out, moving, or dropping/throwing things are tics, not choices, and you deserve the right support for them. Having people laugh or crowd around you at lunch, even if they think they’re being friendly, can feel like too much attention all at once.

A really good next step is to chat with your teacher and let them know that all the attention is getting a bit overwhelming. You can ask whether they can help explain to your class what Tourette’s is and how people can support you respectfully. Once teachers help set some boundaries and give other students better understanding, things usually calm down a lot. You’re doing amazingly by handling all this, and it’s okay to ask for help so school feels more comfortable for you.