ANNOYING GIRL AT SCHOOL

Dear Jellybean,

Please help me!!! I recently switched schools and I am really enjoying the classes at my new school, just not the "friendship issue". I know this girl, (I won't give her real name for her own sake) and she wont leave me alone!!!! She has no other friends, she's mean, she actually cheats off my tests and stuff in math class, and she is extremely annoying. I dread going to school because of this nightmare of a girl, and I cant get her to leave me alone. I don't want to look like a jerk by telling her to take a hike, and I'm a pretty nice person and wouldn't be able to force myself to be mean. No one likes this girl. And I hate it that she is constantly with me. Would you please please please help me? I'm really distressed and I feel depressed all day long because of this problem. I need help.

Dear Writer,

There's a big difference between being a nice person, and letting someone walk all over you. This girl cheats off your tests and otherwise makes you dread school. But you're just acting nice in return, so she has no idea that her behavior is bugging you. The only way that she's going to know, is if you let her know. You can do it nicely, but you do have to communicate your feelings, or this problem will continue indefinitely until it drives you bonkers.

Like I said, you can be nice about it. You don't have to tell your cling-on friend to get lost, or otherwise insult her. But you can say, when she starts hanging all over you, "I'll see you later, I have to run now." You don't have to tell her where, or you can make up some excuse. If she offers to come with you, just say, "No, I'm going alone" or "No thanks, I'll see you later."

If you catch her cheating off your test, confront her after class (not during the test, or the teacher may think you're up to something shady). Ask her, "Were you copying off my test?" Then let her know that's not okay with you, and you can't be friends with someone who does that.

Being depressed about letting someone annoying hang around you is a waste of emotion. You'd be better off channeling that energy into speaking honestly about your feelings. You can be polite and kind, but direct as well. In fact, it's really nicer to let this girl know that what she's doing is getting on your nerves, rather than being nice to her face, but secretly hating her.