Quiet the riot.

Your BFF won't stop gabbin' about her guy? Oh, my!

Sometimes you just can't get enough good advice. So we asked Alexis Sinex, 17, coeditor of The Girls' Life Guide to Growing Up, to be our newest advice columnist. Alexis--her friends call her Lucky--is a high school junior. Got a question for Lucky on friends, family, school, guys or personal stuff? Send it to Ask Lucky, c/o Girls' Life, 4517 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214. And be sure to check out her super-popular online advice column each month at www.girlslife.com.

Dear Lucky,

I have a friend who is going out with this guy. She always brags about him and tries to make me jealous because I'm not going out with anyone. Without hurting her feelings, how can I let her know I don't want to hear her brag?

--Friend of a Bragger

Most likely, she's not trying to hurt your feelings. If it's a new romance, she's probably excited and just wants to gab about it. If she continues to brag and it makes you uncomfortable, then let her know. A real friend shouldn't try to make you jealous. Tell her you are confident about yourself and don't need a boyfriend to be happy. Then explain how her bragging hurts your feelings. If she is a good friend, she will appreciate your honesty and be more considerate of your feelings.

Dear Lucky,

I have a problem. My friend is very pretty and perky. Guys flirt with her non-stop. When she really falls for a guy, he only likes her for her looks and uses her. Then I feel like I need to be there to clean up her messes. But, lately, guys have been looking at me. I like being liked, but I can't help worrying and wondering who will help my friend if I get involved with boys because I am a role model to her. Please, help!

--Boy Blues

It's great to be a role model, but you're being a saint. Sure you aren't using this support system stint as a way to steer dear of the jerky boys your friend seems to attract? At any rate, you need to give your friend a little credit and let her handle her own life. Meet people and have fun on your own--without constantly worrying about your friend. Trust me, she'll be fine.

Dear Lucky,

My sister is in ninth grade and plays varsity soccer. She also runs track and has broken four school records--and this is only her fourth meet ever! I like sports and all, but I get really frustrated when I'm compared to her. She practices soccer three hours a day and then runs four miles. I'm expected to do all that now, too. My sister is really nice to me, but all our coaches think I can be just as good as she is and push me way too hard. How can I get everyone to stop comparing me to her?

--Not-So-Great Soccer Player

Even though people compare you to your sister, don't torture yourself. I'm sure you have plenty of your own talents and goals. Find something else you like doing. Do some exploring to find out what your natural talents are. This way you'll have the freedom to be your own star. Instead of worrying about being a record-breaker, just enjoy the process of discovering more about yourself. As for your sister and soccer coaches, let them know you love the team and will happily cheer them on...from the stands!

Dear Lucky,

My boyfriend just cheated on me with my BFF. I can't dump him because I like him so much! And I can't be mad at my BFF because she didn't know we were going out. Should I dump him?

--Heartbroken

She's your BFF, and she didn't even know you were going out with this guy? That alone is weird. She can't be that good of a friend if she doesn't even ask who you're dating these days. I guess you can't be mad at her since she didn't even know. But you can be angry with him, unless there's a chance he didn't know you were going out either. If he knew, and was aware you two were BFFs, there's no excuse for his cheating. Even though you really like him, move on. It sounds like you care about the relationship a lot more than he does.