Dear Harlan,

My boyfriend and I recently broke up and I don't know what to do. We're both seniors in high school. Most of our conversations took place online, even though we go to the same school. To be honest, he only felt comfortable talking to me online. He broke up with me, but said he wanted to stay friends because he didn't want to lose me in his life. Now he refuses to acknowledge I exist. I try to have friendly conversations with him every once in a while, but he always sounds bored when we chat online and answers me with short texts. When I make eye contact and wave to him when we cross paths in the hall, he pretends like he doesn't see me. I don't know if this is him trying to get over me because we never talked much anyway, not seriously that is (when we were together he would try his hardest to avoid a conversation). Do you think I should hold on and still try to be friends with him or let him go?

Silent Treatment

 

Dear Silent,

For someone so quiet, he's sure giving you a headache. I'm more worried about you than him. I'm worried because you're spending this much time on him. Considering he could only communicate with you via e-mail and text, I think this boy has some kind of social anxiety. He's quiet because he doesn't know how to express himself. He never could. Instead of waiting around for him to acknowledge you, think about why you are so focused on him. Maybe focusing on him means that you don't have to have a real relationship. Maybe you think no one else will want you and he's your only option. Maybe you're afraid of boys who can express themselves. Any girl with a little self-confidence would move on and appreciate that this guy has bigger issues to deal with. Instead of waiting for him to talk, I'd talk to a therapist or counselor at school who can help you figure out why you're so stuck on him.