DR. WALLACE: I have a crush on my best guy friend. We spend a lot of time together and we both like each other as friends very much. Lately, I've become attracted to him, but I'm afraid if I reveal my feelings, this might ruin our friendship if he doesn't feel the same way about me. He means so much to me that I'm afraid to take that risk. I would much rather have him as a friend than not have him at all.

On the other hand, if I don't tell him how I feel, I could allow a wonderful relationship to slip away. What should I do? — Unsure, Syracuse, N.Y.

UNSURE: Invite him to a movie that you think he would like, or somewhere else that could strike a spark in the relationship. It shouldn't take long for you to find out if the spark can become a flame.

LEAVE MOM AND MOVE IN WITH DAD

DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and live with my mother and her boyfriend, whom I despise. He treats Mom terribly. He screams at her, calls her vile names and threatens to hit her, though, fortunately, he hasn't done that — yet. He rarely talks to me. It's like I don't exist in my own house.

My problem with him, besides the way he treats my mom, is that he leers at me. It's difficult to explain. I discussed this with my mom, but she thinks I'm overreacting. This bum doesn't work. Somehow he has managed to get extra money from his employer's insurance because he said he hurt his back lifting a heavy box.

My mom works from 6 p.m. until about midnight as a food server in a nice restaurant and she is a very good server so she gets very good tips. However, this means her boyfriend and I are alone in the house for up to six hours every night except Sunday. We all eat an early supper and, after Mom leaves the house, I go to my room and stay there until she returns home. Sometimes I feel like a prisoner.

My dad has remarried and lives on the other side of the city. I've discussed how I feel about Mom's boyfriend with Dad, and he suggested that I live with him and his new wife. I have never met my new stepmother, but my dad says she is a

really nice person and that she said she would not mind having me in their home. It would only be until I graduate, and then I'll be going to college and living in the dorm.

I love my mother and I'm not sure I really want to abandon her. It was her fault that my parents got a divorce. What do you think I should do in this situation? - Nameless, Columbus, Ohio.

NAMELESS: Move in with your father. The situation at your mother's house is a disaster waiting to happen. Even if her boyfriend doesn't have designs on you, no teen should ever have to feel like a prisoner in her own home.

If your mom came to her senses, she would dump this loser. Then you might want to return to her even if things are going well with your father and stepmother. While living with your father, make sure you keep in close contact with your mother and reassure your love for her.

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.