Hey, Cherie!

I am a 14-year-old girl who is working at a summer day camp. I am a counselor in training and so far the summer is going pretty well. I take care of second grade kids, and they like me. The only problem is that I am falling in love with one of the lifeguards.

I am serious. His name is Neale; he is 17 and going into 11th grade. Neale is really hot and nice. We have had lunch a couple of times — he listens to me when I talk, which is a lot different from most guys who are my age; they only want to stare at me because I am more developed than a lot of girls. Neale has not asked me out on a date, but I can tell that he wants to.

I just want to know what you think about me dating someone who is 17. Many people would say it's wrong and I have no business, but it seems OK to me. This is just dating and I am not going to marry the guy!

— Neale struck

Hey, Neale!

Yes, you are Neale struck. Do not pass go and do not collect $200. Isn't it time to update that amount? I mean, come on! It's the 21st century — $200 dollars won't buy you great seats at certain concerts.

But I digress. No matter what you do, do not go on any kind of a date with Neale. No girl of age 14 has any business dating a guy who is 17, and the same goes for a 17-year-old guy wanting to date a 14-year-old girl. The maturity level is too different and the temptation is too great. Both of your hormones are rockin'; the last thing you want is for them to be rockin' and rollin' together.

I would hope that the reason Neale hasn't asked you out is that he understands it is a bad idea. Or maybe it's because he suspects that your mom or dad will throw a toaster-oven at him the minute he rings your doorbell. (They will if I have anything to do with it.)

Neale, if you're reading? No. Neale-struck? The answer is also no. You had the good sense to write to me about this. Now show the good sense of following my advice.

Hey, Cherie!

My parents only buy my cat cheap cat food. I am a girl in sixth grade, and our cat Marquise (it is pronounced Mar-keys) is 5 years old. I didn't realize when we adopted him, but Marquise only receives the poor cat food that's dry.

Why should the cat have to eat bad food when there are better kinds at the market? But my parents say they don't want Marquise to start begging for wet food. Help me!

— Cat Crazy

Hey, Cat!

Is Marquise happy? Is Marquise healthy? That's the starting point. The next point is to talk this over with your veterinarian. If you don't have a vet, it's time to find one.

Some high-test cat foods offer lower bulk, which means your cat will digest more of it. But this is the kind of thing that your vet can recommend or not. Dry food is better for Marquise's teeth. Really. Ask your vet.

Cherie Bennett is a best-selling author of books for teens and young adults. Visit her website at www.cheriebennett.com. To find out more about Cherie Bennett and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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