DR. WALLACE: I have a very best friend. I'm closer to her than I am to my sister. My friend has a stepbrother who is crude and rude. He's cute, but his behavior overpowers his looks.

Last night, she told me that her stepbrother has a thing for me and wanted her to persuade me to go out with him. He could be the last guy on earth, and I still wouldn't get close to him. I told my friend that I would think about going out with this guy because I didn't want to be rude and say, "No way, Jose." But my answer is still "No way, Jose."

How can I relay this message to my friend without getting her mad or upset with me? What can say? — Nameless, Ames, Iowa.

NAMELESS: Tell her that her stepbrother isn't your type and say no more. You can't control her reaction, but she has no reason to be upset and chances are she won't be. What I wonder is why this guy had to ask his stepsister to intercede on his behalf. She should have told him to ask you out himself. As it is, he put her in an awkward position, which is the sort of behavior you'd expect from someone who is rude and crude.

CHANGE YOUR NAME AT AGE 18

DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and have a first name that I hate. I was named for my mother's mother and this name (Hilda) has caused me much embarrassment and ridicule ever since I was very young. I plan to change it legally to Hillary when I turn 18.

My parents are upset and don't want me to make the change. They said that it would be a "slap in the face" to my grandmother, who is 70 years old. My parents think that if I eventually do change my name I should wait until my grandmother passes away. My grandmother is in excellent health and could live to be 100. Besides, I don't want a death to occur before I can do something positive.

The funny thing is that my mom got a "nose job" when she was 18 (against her mom's wishes) so that she could be more "beautiful." She admits that she never would have caught my dad's interest with her old nose.

I'm almost sure I'll make the name change when I'm 18, but I'd still like to hear your view. — Hilda, Carson City, Nev.

HILDA: I firmly believe that a person who wants to change a name, should. It's foolish to continue with a name that results in ridicule and embarrassment.

When you legally become known as Hillary, would it be possible to have your middle name be Hilda? This might satisfy all family members.

INFORM PARENTS IMMEDIATELY!

DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and my boyfriend is 17 and we have a big problem — I'm pregnant. We both don't know what to do. Abortion is out of the question. We're both good students and are considered "model" students. My parents are both teachers and my boyfriend's mom is a nurse and his dad is a lawyer.

We can't tell our parents because they'll be very, very upset and disappointed. What should we do? — Nameless, Naples, Fla.

NAMELESS: Yes, the parents will be "upset" when they first hear that you are pregnant, but like most parents, they will help you and your boyfriend make the best possible choices for all concerned. Inform your parents immediately!

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.