Idon't feel safe in my neighborhood! The other day, a man started following me, so I knocked on the closest door and asked the people there to drive me home. How do I protect myself from strangers? Should I take a self-defense class? -- Amanda, 16, Ashley Falls, Mass.

What a creepy situation, Amanda -- we're so relieved you got home safely! You definitely had the right idea by alerting someone else to the problem. If this happens again, it's always best to head to a public place and call a family member or friend from there. (That way, a person you know you can trust will come meet you, and you won't have to get into a car with a stranger.) But it's good that you didn't go straight home -- especially if no one else was in the house. That's not a safe maneuver. When you're walking in your neighborhood, it's best to be with other people, but we know that can't always happen. So when you are alone, be aware at all times. Don't listen to your iPod or talk on the phone. And don't have too much cash on you or wear flashy jewelry. (Avoid uncomfortable shoes too -- you'll want to be able to walk away briskly if needed.) It's always good to know how to protect yourself, so talk to your school librarian to find out where self-defense classes are offered in your area. Just knowing that you can protect yourself will make you feel safer no matter where you go.

The bullies at my school are so mean to me and my friends! How can I stop them? -- Donna, 16, South Windsor, Conn.

There are millions of reasons bullies pick on people -- often they have nothing to do with the people getting picked on and everything to do with the bullies' own self-esteem. But that doesn't matter. What does matter is making sure you and your friends get treated with respect. Here's what you have to do: Ignore them. Completely. Don't look at them, don't respond to them and don't acknowledge them. Spread the word to your friends. The sooner all of you stop giving the bullies a reaction, the sooner they'll get bored and stop. Also consult your school guidance counselor. We know you won't want to seem like a tattletale, but your guidance counselor is trained to handle these kinds of situations. She'll have specific ideas for getting the bullies off your back. (She can most likely keep your meeting confidential, so no one will have to know you saw her.) You deserve to be treated with respect by everyone (parents, friends, classmates), Donna, and you owe it to yourself to get help from experts -- in addition to support from your friends -- any time you're mistreated by anyone.

I think my best friend has a crush on my ex. I don't want to be with him, but I don't want him to be with her! What should I do? -- Deanna, 17, Kennesaw, Ga.

That's a tough situation, Deanna -- even if you don't want to be with your ex, you probably still have lingering feelings and memories. And those feelings and memories might make you feel possessive of him -- or just plain annoyed! Either way, we can understand why you'd dread having him back in your life in such an awkward way. So talk to your friend. Ask her about her feelings for your ex, and explain that it would make you uncomfortable for her to be with him -- at least for right now. Tell her that you want her to be happy, but that it would make you feel a lot stronger if she could see your ex as off-limits while you're still healing from your breakup. If she decides to pursue your ex anyway, you can choose to accept it or stop being friends with her. Neither will be easy, but remember: The best friendships often come with the hardest challenges, and those challenges can actually make your friendship stronger.

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