Why is She Doing This?!

My friend has always been the one the guys seemed to like. I was just a shadow, trying to be her or like her. I'm sick of pretending. There's this boy we both like...A lot. She keeps saying that if I happen to hook up with him, that I am a backstabber. Then when I asked her if she thinks I would be mad if she hooked up with him, and she said,"It shouldn't matter to
you." She's such a great friend usually, but now, over a guy, she's changing. Please help me. Ashley, 13, Michigan

"Hey, Ashley!" I've been through a similar situation, I tried to talk to my "friend" and she wouldn't answer my questions as to why she was trying to turn everyone against me. Later I found out that our guy friend liked me and she was mad that he didn't like her. True friends are not supposed to allow things such as boys bring them apart. Have you tried to tell her how you feel, then asking her what she thought how you would feel about this? She may not listen as my suppossed friend did, but it's worth a shot at trying to salvage a friendship. I am glad that you are sick of trying to be like her. Don't ever think that you have to be someone you are not, just to be liked. It doesn't work. I know. Some people can get away with hiding who they are, but they're never happy, were you? I know how it is to like a guy a lot, but sometimes it's a passing thing, if this is so for you and your friend, don't let a crush come between the two of you as she is doing. Talk to her. As I said, it may not work, but then at least you can say "Well at least I tried". Sometimes it takes longer for people to see each others true personalities, I found that my "friend" wasn't who I thought she was, I hope that it is different for you.

Kaitlin, 14, West Virginia