Trying to attract guys ... Doesn't like curfew

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Hi, Jewel,I'm in Grade 10, and I'm attractive and intelligent. So why won't boys ask me out?My brother says it's because guys think I'm out of their league. If that's the message I'm sending, it is not intentional.How do I let guys know I'm available?-- PRETTY GIRLDear PRETTY,I'm happy to see that you recognize your positive attributes. These qualities make you special. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise.As for gaining the courtship of guys, I think what you really need to work on is how to send out the "I'm interested in you" vibes. Read: You'd be doing more harm than good by sounding off the "I'm available" siren.Reality is, you're not a gal accessible at some dude's beck and call. You've got self-respect and priorities of your own. Ideally, you should want to be in the company of someone who enhances your life, not overtakes it.I'm not going to lie. Dressing up skankily will get you short-term attention from guys. However, they'll be too distracted to acknowledge the depth of your mind. So, going that route is akin to a flimsy Band-Aid fix.Believe it or not, you're actually in a good position right now. You can pick and choose whom you wish to charm. Look at the single guys in your life. Evaluate their personalities. Take note of their habits. Observe your physical attraction toward them.Once you've pinpointed someone intriguing, get to know him. Yes, I mean you make an effort to spark a connection.Begin by smiling at him in class. Take part in mutually appealing activities. Strike up conversations. Throw in open-ended questions. Reveal interesting tidbits about yourself.Once you're feeling good vibrations, take it to the next level. Invite him to see a fab exhibit at the museum. Ask if he'd like to catch a game. Or, if you're less daring, then ask him to meet you for a one-on-one study session. By this point, the dude should recognize you're interested in him. If he feels the same way, he'll respond. If not, you've made a new friend.Whatever happens, don't get discouraged. Typical of life, even dating is a learning game. Few of us win the jackpot -- a romantic heartthrob or otherwise -- overnight.-- Love, JewelHey Dave,I'm 16 and my parents think I'm 12. They tell me to be home by 11, and if I'm not, there's hell to pay. They'll call my cell at 11:01. My friends don't have these kinds of restrictions. How can I get them to cut me some slack?-- NOT 12 ANYMOREDear NOT 12,I'm tempted to say, "Stick it out," and leave it at that. Why? You live in their house under their rules, and it's understandable for parents to be protective of 16-year-old children. You're not 20, after all.And curfews are still common, despite the fact that your friends have free rein to do what they want. Realize that your parents only want to do what's best for you and, hey, you'll be out of there when you go to college, right?But if you feel suffocated, I have a few suggestions. Tell Mom and Dad you have matured since your pre-teens and you'd like to win some of their respect by shouldering responsibility yourself. "Extend my curfew, and I'll make sure I don't break the rules," you can say. Earn their trust. Give them good reason to believe you'll be an abiding kid. Remember, though, one mistake or missed curfew could shatter the trust you had been building.One way to get around curfews, too, is having friends over to your house. That way, your parents are comforted by the fact that you're in sight and you can still chill and have fun with buddies sleepover-style. If your parents don't watch you like a hawk, you can have the space and freedom to still have fun.Good luck!(Got a hot question for our cool columnists? E-mail Jewel or Dave at writeus(at)ypp.net or check them out on-line at http://www.ypp.net.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)