Hey, Cherie! by Cherie Bennett

Hey, Cherie!

All the girls in the 7th grade are so into labels and brand names. Expensive jeans, shoes and even purses. It's like the "Devil Wears Prada" just walking down the halls at school! Forget about a dance or special assembly at school. They are all about how much their clothes cost and who is wearing what.

My mom says that we can't get these things right now, and since I am still growing, we have to wait before buying such expensive clothes and shoes. I feel like there is no way I will ever fit in with every other 13-year-old girl because I don't have the right clothes on. I feel so much of school is about what you look like. And I look like crap! Cherie, how can I convince my mom that this is really important to me and I need to have the right jeans to fit in?

—Fashion Victim

Hey, Fashion!

Man, it can be so tough in middle school. Not only do you have your incredibly demanding school and homework schedule, but you also have your parents denying you the essentials of life. I mean jeans are essential! Have you thought about vintage store shopping? Or a consignment shop? Even Goodwill can have some really expensive clothing labels for next to nothing! It may take a bit of time and effort, but you can create a great wardrobe with some really inexpensive finds at these types of stores. If you have any of these resources in your town, then it may be worth your time to check it out. You can also create your own unique style from these places and never go back to the mall again!

Hey, Cherie!

I'm a 15-year-old girl with a 17-year-old brother.

Of course, he doesn't ever pay any attention to me. I am sure he doesn't even know my name. He just knows me as the little sister, and my brother is no help. I am trying so hard to get his attention when he comes over and my brother will just kick me out of the room. I can't stop thinking about him and wanting him to talk to me. How can I get him to notice me?

—Invisible Girl

Hey, Invisible!

Getting a guy to notice you can be tough, especially an older guy. Boys can be really hard to understand. They also have a lot of stuff on their minds, too. If this crush of yours is really something you want to pursue, then you can try and find out what he is interested in. If it's something you like too, such as sports, cars or music, then that is a good way to start a conversation. But only if it's something you really like, too! There is no guy that is worth being fake or making yourself into something else for. Imagine if you tried to make yourself into someone else just to please a guy. Where does it stop? That could be the start of a trend you can't ever end! You would end up not even knowing yourself anymore, and you are just learning who that is!

Cherie Bennett is a best-selling author of books for teens and young adults. Visit her website at www.cheriebennett.com. To find out more about Cherie Bennett and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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