Boy tug-of-war with your BFF.

BFFs share everything from makeup to secrets ... but what are the rules when two girls like the same guy?

Ever since Ben switched to Annie's math class and was assigned to the seat in front of her, staring at the back of his head gave her reason to actually enjoy algebra. Thing is, Annie was not the only one who had noticed Ben.

Megan had been drawing Ben's name in hearts for months. "Ben is awesome, so it wasn't too surprising that other girls were crushing on him," Annie says. But Megan is Annie's best friend. So what's a girl to do when she and her BFF have the hots for the same guy?

Dish the deal

Instead of secretly plotting to scoop the guy before your pal does, you and your friend should talk. The friendship is more important to you than the crush, right? If your BFF knows you would ultimately choose her over a boy, she'll likely be just as loyal to the friendship.

Feeling like nothing--not even a really solid friendship--is going to come between you and the boy? Annie's gal Megan was once wrapped up in one end of this dilemma. She dug the same guy as her former friend Jenn. When he asked Jenn to a dance, she went even though she knew it might upset Megan. "Jenn said she didn't care if it hurt me, which made me realize our friendship wasn't important to her," Megan says.

Evaluate the sitch

Before your shared crush morphs into a friendship-halting catastrophe, take a closer look. You might think you're totally in love with Dream Boy, but does he even know you exist? Your bud, meanwhile, has been cutting, pasting and schmoozing with him for months on yearbook staff. If it's more realistic that he'll go for one of you over the other, third-wheel girl should take on the role of supportive BFF. If you both admire him from afar with no reality of a relationship in sight, "ooh" and "aah" together the same way you do over Jesse McCartney. No reason to spazz just because you both have the same great taste in dudes!

If your crush gets real

Prince Charming actually wants to court you? "It was fun when my friend Karen and I both liked Mark," says Lindsay, "but then he asked me out, and I had no clue what to do. I didn't want Karen to be jealous, but I didn't want to have to avoid her when I was with Mark or not be able to talk to her about him."

If you're the lucky girl who wins the crush lottery, help your friend understand that she hasn't been replaced. Don't rub her face in the relationship--she doesn't need endless reminders of how adorable he is. It can be tough for your friend if you're dating anyone, let alone someone she's crushing on.

If he goes for her

You're the one left in the dust? Don't waste emotional energy comparing yourself to your bud or scheming to break them up. Be genuinely excited for your friend. If it feels like your girl is ditching you for the guy, relax. Fresh romance seems to temporarily drain brain cells from level-headed girls. It can even cause them to do mindless things that sting people they care about.

This is a primo opportunity for you to demonstrate your maturity. Be patient because, eventually, your BFF should get her head out of the clouds and join you back on Earth. Corny as it sounds, cuties come and go. But at the end of the day? Friendships almost always prevail!