Dear Erika: I have a boyfriend who hasn’t called or texted me in awhile. What should I do?

Dear Reader: If your best friend didn’t holler at you for weeks, would you still consider them your bestie? Probably not. Boyfriends, just like best friends, have a special place in your life. You’ve chosen him above all others as *the* best guy for you to hang out with. So, if a boyfriend isn’t living up to his special designation, it’s time to question whether he’s still your boyfriend or not. Think about the stuff that makes a boy not just a boy, but a boyfriend—he listens to your problems, shows you affection, encourages you when you want to go out for new sports or clubs, is fun to goof off with, looks cute in his glasses (or whatever it is about his style that floats your boat), puts his arm around you when you’re freaked out at the movies, and calls or texts on the regular to say "hi" or make plans.

If your boy isn’t doing this stuff, he’s probably not your boyfriend anymore. By not calling or texting, he’s sending a very clear message—he’s not the kind of guy who deserves your time, attention or affection. But before you pack it up and move on, try reaching out to him to find out why he hasn't been in touch. (Maybe his parents took his cellie. Or worse, maybe something major happened in his life that has taken precedence.) If you find that there's no circumstance that explains why he's been out of touch, *then* it's time to move on. Take some time to mourn your loss (hopefully, this shouldn't take too long, since he's been MIA for awhile) and set your sights on finding a more attentive guy who’s actually excited to be your boyfriend.

Erika Stalder writes books, advice and lifestyle articles to help teens turn down the annoying stuff in life and turn up the awesome. She has penned four books for teens including The Date Book (Zest Books) and In The Driver's Seat: A Girl's Guide To Her First Car (Zest Books). Her fifth book, which tells the stories of 50 beauty icons, will be released in 2011. Erika loves hearing directly from teens, so holler at her with thoughts, questions, complaints or whatever at ErikaStalder.com.