DR. WALLACE: I'm 13 and have a major problem with my "so-called" best friend, Megan. Yesterday, we got into a terrible argument. It ended when we called each other very nasty names and walked away from each other.

This morning (Saturday) I went over to her house to talk with her. The arrangement was made by our mothers. At first Megan acted like a good friend, but when another girl came over to her house, she told me to "Please go home now because I want to spend time with my very good friend, Karla."

I was very hurt and surprised by her attitude. I quickly left her house and went straight home and up to my room and cried for over an hour. Please tell me what I should do. I'm not a really popular girl, but Megan has many friends. — Sara, Columbus, Ohio.

SARA: It's obvious that Megan no longer considers you a "best friend," so it's time to expand your list of good friends. However, there is no reason why the two of you can't continue to be "good friends". Send her a note and let her know that you are aware that she has other friends, but that you hope the friendship you have had with her over the years will continue.

Your next step will be to start a vigorous campaign to acquire some new friends. You should get active in school activities and clubs, and other organizations, such as church youth groups, and community activities geared to young adults.

This will take a little time, but you will soon meet other teens who share similar interests and will become friends. Do not sit at home feeling "left out" because Megan isn't spending a lot of time with you. Get active immediately!

SPENDING TIME ALONE CAN BE GOOD

DR. WALLACE: I would like to share my ideas regarding the mother who was worrying about her teenage daughter spending too much time alone in her room.

My own daughter and I have a wonderful relationship. She was a very busy girl during her high school years and was a cheerleader and active in several clubs. She also had a boyfriend, but she continued to maintain a 4.0 grade point average. She also took a part-time job in her senior year.

I was feeling pretty "left-out," and it took me a while to understand her need for privacy and "down time" alone without taking it personally.

My suggestion to this girl from Detroit is to set aside some time in her busy schedule just for mom. She should share what's happening in her life. Mom will then feel special and involved. My daughter and I chose to have breakfast together every Saturday morning and this has worked for us. — Happy Mom, Denver, Colo.

HAPPY MOM: Thanks for the sound advice. Open and honest communication on a regular basis is the foundation of family harmony.

I DIDN'T ATTEND A FRIEND'S FUNERAL

DR. WALLACE: A very good friend of mine died from an overdose. I was so upset that I could not even attend his funeral. Now some of my friends are ragging on me for not going, and now I'm feeling really guilty about not going.

Do you think I was wrong for not attending his funeral? - Nameless, Albany, N.Y.

NAMELESS: Grieving is very personal. It is not wrong that you did not attend your friend's funeral.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.