DR. WALLACE: My girlfriend broke up with me recently because she said she needed her space. She thought I was "smothering" her. I love this girl very much and breaking up was very hard on me. We are both in the 12th grade.

Last week I sent her a text telling her how I felt and in it I used death as an analogy for the pain I have. Well, she took it as a suicide note. I have no thought of doing such a thing. She texted back and said she was sorry I was hurting and she prayed I wouldn't commit suicide. She then added that she no longer wanted to communicate with me either by talking or texting.

What should I do? I really love this girl very much and I want her back. Do you think she will ever come back? — Nameless, Chicago, Ill.

NAMELESS: I doubt it. In fact, I would say there is absolute certainty she won't come back as long as you hold onto such intense feelings about her. That's why she felt smothered in the first place. Let her go and get on with your life. Get involved. Join school clubs and activities. You might even want to consider volunteering somewhere.

The worst thing you can do is wonder what she is doing. You must come to realize that she is not thinking of you.

DON'T TEMPT FATE

DR. WALLACE: A certain girl attends my church. She is very pretty and all the guys my age (including me) are always staring at her. Last Sunday she came up to me and asked me if I would like to escort her to a formal dance sponsored by her mom's club. I couldn't believe my ears. I told her yes and then she gave me her telephone number and told me to call her and she'd give me all the details.

I was on Cloud Nine when I called her last night. She told me what to wear and that her father would drive us to and from the dance. Then I asked a dumb question - why she asked me to be her escort. After a long pause, she said because her mother (my Sunday school teacher) told her to ask me.

After I hung up the telephone, I felt deflated and sort of nerdy. Who wants to go to a dance with a girl who was forced to ask you? I'm 15 and not very experienced with girls. What should I do — swallow my pride and escort her or call her back and cancel the date? Please hurry. — Nameless, Salt Lake City, Utah.

NAMELESS: Don't tempt fate! You have the opportunity to go to a dance with a beautiful young lady — take it! Her reason for asking you matters far less than how well the two of you get along when you go out. Plan to have a wonderful time and be a perfect escort. Who knows what the future might bring?

Having the girl's mother in your "corner" is a wonderful bonus!

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.