That Awkward Moment When Boys No Longer Think of Themselves as "Just Friends"

Dear Bro Jo-

I am 15 years old, and I'm afraid my friends might be getting too serious.

I have this group of really good friends.

There are about five or six of us, and we love hanging out together.

Some of the girls really like some of the guys, and I got a bit of a scare this weekend.

These friends of mine went to a movie and bowling over the weekend, but I wasn't able to attend due to a family matter.

When I got back to school Monday morning, one of these friends (a girl), confided in me that one of the boys in our group had tried to kiss her, and that another boy had tried to do the same thing with my best friend.

These poor friends were so freaked out, they didn't know what to do.

To every teenager, this sounds like a dream come true. But in reality it was a nightmare for my friends.

The sad thing is, these are both guys they liked.

But these boys know they shouldn't be doing this before they're at least 16. These boys have been our friends since grade school, but we don't know how to explain that this is way too soon.

Please?

I need some help.

 Signed,

- Confused in P.G.



Dear P.G.

Overall it doesn't sound too serious.

The feelings everyone is "suddenly having" (honestly, it's not as sudden as it seems, is it?) are very normal, but the timing of the action is off.

The girls in your group need to explain to the boys in your group that there will be no more dating before 16, and those will be Casual Group Dates.

Your friends did the right thing by not doing any kissing before they're ready.

But make no mistake, what they did was Go On a Date; the boys aren't the only ones to blame here.  (Between you and me . . . the ones I blame the most are the parents of both the boys and the girls . . . I'll let you ponder why.)

And perhaps you and your friends (that means the girls) need to read some of our "Men Can't Stay 'Just Close Friends' with Women" posts (click on "Guys and Girls as Just Close Friends").

Don't worry; I think everyone's on track.

- Bro Jo



Dear Bro Jo,

Thank you. That's really comforting. It was just kind of a scare, but I think everything's all right now.

Thanks again!

- P.G.



Dear P.G,

Anytime.

 - Bro Jo