DEAR ABBY: I am a high school sophomore who is usually pretty happy. I have amazing friends and a great family, and I make good grades. I have liked "Michael" for three years, and recently he has begun to show more of an interest in me. He's polite to everyone, but my friends have noticed he pays more attention to me than to anyone else.

Well, two months ago Michael suddenly started dating another girl. They're totally addicted to each other, and I'm crushed. I am also confused, because when she isn't around, Michael flirts with me again. I try to avoid him and not flirt back, but it seems to keep happening. I never would have expected this from such a sweet guy. What should I do? -- HEARTBROKEN HIGH SCHOOLER

DEAR HEARTBROKEN: Frankly, the first thing you should do is put your guard up. Then take a step backward so you can clear your head and view Michael more objectively because right now you are "smitten."

Michael appears to have a short attention span. Two months ago it was you, now it's some other girl -- unless she isn't around. Your sweet guy is showing signs of being a budding Romeo, so put your broken heart back together and recognize that if you want a boyfriend you can depend on, Michael isn't the one.

DEAR ABBY: We just moved into a new neighborhood and a cute little boy came to our door selling coupon books. My husband answered the door and was nice to the boy, but told him we weren't interested in buying the book. The child hung his head and walked away slowly.

As the days have gone by, we feel bad about not buying the book from him, but we didn't need or want it. I found out he and his family live two doors down, and it is uncomfortable as we drive by their house. They never wave or acknowledge us, nor have they ever come down to introduce themselves or say hello.

Should we apologize to our neighbors for making their son feel bad, or should we just let it go? -- ASHAMED IN HOUSTON

DEAR ASHAMED: I see no reason for you to apologize for not buying the coupon book. The books are not helpful for everyone. By offering them for sale, the boy is getting sales and life experience, and learning that when someone refuses an offer, the "rejection" isn't personal; it's part of the process. Rather than apologize, why not go to the parents and introduce yourselves? I can't imagine they'd be holding a grudge over something so petty.

DEAR ABBY: I'm eight months pregnant with my first child. It is my boyfriend's third child. I don't get along with the other children's mothers, but I want my son to have a relationship with his brother and sister. How do I go about getting this to happen? -- HOPEFUL IN ARKANSAS

DEAR HOPEFUL: I applaud you for wanting your son to have a relationship with his half-siblings. Family is important, and when the children are older, it could be beneficial for them.

A way to establish a kinship with the other mothers might be to remind them that, in a sense, you're all members of the same "club." Considering their former boyfriend's history, membership may continue to expand, so it's in everyone's interest to stick together.

What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in "What Every Teen Should Know." To order, send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $6 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby -- Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in the price.)

DEAR ABBY: I am 18 years old and would like to know what kinds of symptoms show that it's time for counseling -- depression, mood swings, etc. -- CONSIDERING IT IN OHIO

DEAR CONSIDERING IT: You have asked an important question. Everybody experiences sadness at some point, but sadness that doesn't go away can actually be depression, a medical condition. Anyone, regardless of age, who experiences any five of the following symptoms for two weeks or more should discuss it with a mental health professional:

1. Feeling of sadness and/or irritability.

2. Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed.

3. Changes in weight and appetite.

4. Changes in sleep patterns.

5. Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless.

6. Inability to concentrate, remember things or make decisions.

7. Restlessness or decreased activity noticed by others.

8. Fatigue or loss of energy.

9. Thoughts of death or suicide.

DEAR ABBY: I have a wonderful hairdresser who helps not only me but also many of my friends and family members. She's the sole support for her family and the sweetest person you could ever meet. The issue is her sense of time.

There's no problem if you're the first or second appointment of the day, but after that she runs further and further behind. Yesterday, it took my frail mother-in-law 3 1/2 hours to get her hair done because of the wait time. I was the first appointment at 7:30 a.m. and she didn't make it into the shop until 7:40. How can I help her understand she's driving her customers away without offending her? -- CUTTING TIME IN UTAH

DEAR CUTTING TIME: Your hairdresser may be good at styling hair but it appears she's not a very good businesswoman. If she's losing customers because she manages her schedule so poorly, tell her why. You will be doing her a favor. And please, before you bring your frail mother-in-law in for another appointment, call to find out how late the woman is running before letting your mother-in-law sit for 3 1/2 hours before even seeing a shampoo bowl.

DEAR ABBY: I recently bought a small travel trailer that I use for weekend fishing trips. My dog, "Goldie," accompanies me on these short trips and sleeps with me on the only bed in the trailer.

My wife, "Shirley," is now expecting to go on some of my fishing trips with Goldie and me. The problem is, Goldie is used to sleeping with me, and I believe she should have first dibs on the bed since she was there first.

When I informed Shirley that she'd be sleeping in the back of the truck, she came unglued. Now, Shirley and I are hardly speaking. Goldie is a young Lab pup who is my very best friend, constant companion and never nags. I think my wife is being selfish and inconsiderate, but I'd like your opinion. Am I out of line here? -- GOIN' FISHIN' IN MIDLAND, TEXAS

DEAR GOIN' FISHIN': If you're expecting sympathy from me, you're barking up the wrong tree. You are not only out of line, but it appears you're also in the doghouse. A real Texas gentleman would let Shirley and Goldie share the bed while he slept in the truck, and that's what I'm urging you to do.

DEAR ABBY: I go to movies occasionally with my niece "Connie" and her two kids. Although the theater has a sign "No Outside Food or Drinks Allowed," Connie sneaks snacks in in her oversized purse, then doles them out after the lights go down. I'm not talking about a couple of candy bars; she brings bags of candy, chips and cans of soda.

While I agree with my niece that the price of refreshments is outrageous, I also believe it's the theater operators' prerogative to set prices and policy. I suggested Connie skip the snacks during the movie and take the kids out for ice cream afterward, but she said she didn't want to "deprive" them. When I offered to pay, she said it wasn't about the money, it was "the principle, and besides, "everybody else does it."

I feel my niece is teaching her kids it's OK to break rules you find inconvenient as long as you can get away with it. I enjoy the outings with them so I've dropped the subject for the sake of harmony, but it still bothers me. Connie probably thinks I'm a critical old crank who's out of step with the times. I'd love your opinion. -- PAYING FOR MY POPCORN IN OREGON

DEAR PAYING: Here it is: Your thinking is spot on. Your niece's behavior is dishonest, and children model their behavior on the example set by their parents. Connie's excuse that everybody does it is a cop-out. Because "everyone" does something doesn't make it right.

Theater owners earn a large portion of their profits not from ticket sales, but from their concession stands. I am often struck by the amount of food I see purchased before people enter a theater -- large tubs of popcorn, king-sized candy bars, bucket-sized soft drinks and nachos. What does this say about us?

Obesity is at record levels in the U.S. We are repeatedly cautioned not to eat in front of the television set. The munching going on in theaters is another example of mindless, compulsive eating.

If Connie doesn't want to "deprive" her children, she should feed them a healthy meal before they go to the movie so they won't be hungry. That's my opinion, so I'm glad you asked me.

DEAR ABBY: After six years of marriage I am seven months pregnant. I never wanted children and did not expect this to happen. I am determined to be an excellent mother, but it's an intellectual exercise for me. I feel nothing for this baby and I have a hard time imagining our future. I also hate being pregnant.

I can't find any websites for women like me -- they're filled with women cooing over their bellies and fantasizing over their babies-to-be. I mentioned my feelings (or lack thereof) to my husband and he became furious with me. Is there something wrong with me? -- LACKS THE MOTHERING GENE

DEAR LACKS: No, there's nothing "wrong" with you. You're just not particularly maternal. I'm sure many women have felt as you do because more than half the pregnancies in the U.S. are "unplanned."

Discuss this with your obstetrician to be sure you're not suffering from pre-partum depression. When your baby arrives I am sure that you will fall in love with him or her as many other mothers have. Your husband may have reacted the way he did because he felt it was in some way a rejection of him, or because he does want children.