I am a 15 years old female and a regular reader of your column. Since March, I have fallen deeply in love with a guy, who is 21 years old. This guy is my first true love and he lives in the same yard as my grandmother. I live with my mother. Recently, I allowed him to put a love mark on my neck and now I regret doing so. I am not allowed to go back to my grandmother's home again, so I can't see him anymore.

AWFUL FEELING IN THE STOMACH

The problem I have is that when I hear his favourite songs play or even remember anything about him, I get this awful feeling in my stomach and sometimes I even cry because I miss him a lot and, as I said before, I really love him.

Pastor, sometimes I feel as if I am going crazy. What must I do?

S.W., St. Andrew, Jamaica

Dear S.W.,

Do not worry, you won't die from not seeing this young man. Perhaps, the young man playfully gave you a hickey. Guys do that all the time. But, they fail to understand that when they do so, the girls often get into trouble with their parents. And, even their friends mock them. Some girls do not consider it embarrassing to have a hickey and to let the world know that they have been making out, but others feel very embarrassed.

I don't blame your parents for not allowing you to be around this young man. They are trying to protect you. It is one thing to engage in petting but petting often leads to having sex. You are only 15 years old and the young man is 21. Perhaps, his aim is to get you in the mood to have sex with you. Who knows, he may get you pregnant and mess you up and bring an extra burden to your parents. So, I congratulate them for trying to protect you.

Pastor