Dear Abby: Patience urged for girl who has eyes for local boy

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 12-year-old girl and I like a boy named "Chris." We go to different schools now, and I don't know how to get in touch with him to tell him how I feel. At times for the past two years we have been flirting on and off. We will be reunited again next year. I can't hold on much longer, and he's at a school with his ex. What should I do? — LOVER GIRL IN ALABAMADEAR LOVER GIRL: You have held on this long, so remember the school year is already more than half over. In the fall, you and Chris will be attending the same school again without your having to do anything. For now, be patient. Stay active and involved with school, and time will pass more quickly. Focus on activities you enjoy and your friendships. Do not waste your time worrying about the other girl. She and Chris are exes for a reason. If you and Chris are "meant to be," the chances of that happening will be better when you're classmates. DEAR ABBY: A friend from high school has invited me to her wedding in September. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the bachelorette party I was also invited to. Even though I sent my regrets to the organizer of the party, she has tried to solicit gifts from me twice. This seems extremely tacky, and it has made me feel I was invited only for the gifts I could bring. Abby, I don't want this to reflect poorly on my friend. Should I tell someone in the wedding party so they can fix this faux pas, or am I wrong about wedding etiquette? — PERPLEXED IN THE MIDWESTDEAR PERPLEXED: You're not wrong. That the party organizer is trying to extort gifts from you is extremely rude. The person to inform is the mother of the bride. She should be able to put a stop to it before anyone else is embarrassed.DEAR ABBY: What if someone wants to move away from one parent but not the other? I'm 25 and interviewing for jobs. It would be nice to become independent, but for the right reasons. I am tired of my father's selfish, ignorant attitude, but I would miss seeing my mother. As she gets older, she seems to accommodate my dad's all-for-himself attitude even more.If I take a job that's out of state, I don't want to feel like I'm "running away." How should I approach leaving the one family member I care about?— MOVING FORWARD IN MASSACHUSETTSDEAR MOVING: Continue interviewing for jobs for which you are qualified, regardless of where they are located. If more than one company wants to hire you, select the one that offers the best wages and benefits and seems to be the best fit for you. If the company is located in your city, you may not have to leave your mother and you may be able to limit the time you must spend with your father. Should you get an enticing offer that bases you in another location, to accept it would not be running away; it would be making an intelligent career choice. Your mom might be able to visit you sans Dad periodically if the expense isn't prohibitive, and you would be establishing your independence for the right reason. DEAR READERS: If you live in a state in which daylight-saving time is observed, don't forget to turn your clocks forward one hour before going to bed tonight. Daylight-saving time begins at 2 a.m. tomorrow. Hallelujah! It's my favorite "holiday."Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in "What Every Teen Should Know." Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)