Dear fastball15,

A lot of people feel shy when it come to talking to people they might be interested in. And a lot of girls feel like they are supposed to wait for a guy to ask them out or make the first move. But this isn't true. It is totally fine for a girl to ask out a guy — or begin by simply starting a conversation with him!

If you feel shy or talking to new people makes you nervous, you might need some preparation.

• Think about ways to calm your nerves. Maybe you need to take a few deep breaths. Maybe you need to psyche yourself up with a little pep talk. Try reminding yourself about your positive qualities.
• Then, think about some things you have in common with the person you're interested in. Do you go to the same school? Are you in any of the same classes? Do you know he likes a certain kind of music you like? Do you have any mutual friends?
• Once you've identified something you think you have in common or want to talk to him about, try to find a time when you can be alone or have some privacy. You may even want to give him a call or send him an e-mail or IM.
• You might want to consider asking him to do something with you that could be fun or interesting like going to a movie, the park, or a concert. This way you have some time to get to know each other.

Getting to know someone whether you're crushing on him or not, can be hard and takes some practice. Good luck!

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.