TOUCHY SUBJECT
Is the boy I love using me if every time we see each other he only wants to kiss and touch?

SIN SAYS
Not necessarily. Desire is natural and an extremely compelling force, especially when getting physical is new and you’re experimenting with it. And keep in mind that the male of our species, who often gets tongue-tied when it comes to expressing emotion, may find kissing and touching a way of showing true affection. Plus, how can I put this….it feeeeeels soooooo goooood! Of course, what you do with your boy must feel wonderful to you as well. If you don’t enjoy his kisses and caresses, if you feel that he’s moving too fast or, in his excitement, he hurts you in any way, you must stop him and explain what’s going on with you. Do not be silent and let him have his way with you. If he cares, he will respect your wishes and slow down.

DICE SAYS
He “only” wants to be physical? It’s hard to imagine the dude pounces, and then stalks off like some kind of jungle cat. Don’t you talk? Not necessarily about your feelings for each other, but just stuff—school, mutual friends, music, movies. Don’t you have shared interests? If all you have in common is physical attraction, then really you’re using each other. Of course, he might “only” want to make out because all you do is hang out. Sitting around gets boring, no wonder kissing takes over. Ask your boy to do something you enjoy and think he might, too—an activity like a sport, volunteering for a cause you’re passionate about, or simply taking a walk in your favorite part of town. If he turns you down, he’s not interested in a real relationship. Tell him hands (and mouth) off, so you’ll be free to find someone that you connect with on an emotional, intellectual, spiritual and, yep, physical level.

MIND CONTROL
Why do I keep thinking about my crush?

DICE SAYS
Let me get your symptoms straight: You wake up in the morning with him on your mind? He’s the last thing on the brain before you fall asleep? During the day, when you’re not focused on other stuff, there he is? If the answers are, yes, yes, yes, then you have a serious case of crushitis. Which is a perfectly normal and actually pleasant condition. In the early stages of liking someone, you will think about him a lot: When you’ll see him, what you’ll say, what he’ll say, et cetera. Unless you obsess to the point that it interferes with your life—you’re failing tests because “he” wouldn’t let you study or you’re blowing off friends to mope about him. Then it’s a problem, and you should alert someone you trust to help get your mind right. Otherwise, enjoy it while it lasts. Since whether you simply get over him or start a relationship, this constant craving will morph into something else.

SIN SAYS
Ah, but is your crush is afflicted with the same condition? While of course he does think of you, it’s probably not in the same all-consuming way. Males may tend to compartmentalize—which means they have little boxes in their brain, each one a place to put a life role he plays. So when it’s time for him to be a jock, he goes to the jock box; when he must study, straight to the student cubby; when he’s ready to be that boy with a deep and abiding crush on you, he flips to that compartment. Females, contrarily, tend to stream all their roles at once. Of course, knowing the psychology won’t get you any closer to the boy. To move toward romance, get proactive! Practice the triumvirate of flirting: 1) make eye contact; 2) smile warmly; 3) say hi. Ta-da!