The Girls' Guide to Friends: Straight Talk for Teens on Making Close Pals, Creating Lasting Ties, and Being an All-Around Great Friend - Softcover

JULIE TAYLOR writes about issues and relationships for magazines such as Cosmo Girl and YM. She is the author of Girls’ Guide to Guys and the novel Franco American Dreams. She lives in Hollywood, California, with her husband and son.

Just Your Type

Eek-you've got a major crisis! Who do you call? Depends what your problemo is, of course. If you can't decide what to wear on your hot date, you dial up your Fashion Diva friend. Desperate to find out the skinny on tonight's big bash? Your Party Pal is the one to call. Need help cramming for that killer algebra quiz? Ring up your Study Buddy pronto! See, friends are like shoes-different ones fit different occasions. Just like you'd never be caught dead wearing your Adidas to Prom, you'd probably never count on your Party Pal to give you any major life advice. Nope, that's your Best Bud's job. Figuring out what Friend Type your pals fall under will help you determine who you can count on . . . and who you can count out. This chapter tells you all-and I do mean all-you need to know about the top ten friend groups. Have fun figuring which category your own friends fall into!

Party Pal

She's the one you call for the buzz on the latest bash, since she gets invited to every single party in town. You have an absolute blast every time you're with her, and when she's around you never know what's going to happen next. Here's everything you need to know about the Party Pal:

favorite clothes:
Miniskirts, sparkly shirts, and anything with fur

dead giveaway:
Those directions she's holding are to the biggest party in town

favorite food:
Party grub, of course-chips and salsa, Chex Mix, anything with a toothpick in it

favorite phrase:
"Let's get this party started!"

what she'll be:
Party planner, publicist, cruise director

never misses:
TRL

totally looks up to:
Kate Hudson (the party queen from Almost Famous)

where you'll go together:
Parties, clubs, happening restaurants

what you talk about:
Who's there, who's hooking up with whom, and what everybody's wearing

call her when:
You're looking for something amazing to do on a Friday night

but ring up someone else when:
Your boyfriend just broke up with you and you need a shoulder to cry on

loves pals who are:
Outgoing, fearless, and ready for anything

loathes pals who are:
Homebodies, shy, and freaked to try new things

hang with her if:
She's fun to be around, cheers you up, and always includes you in the celebratory shenanigans

ditch her if:
She's a name-dropper, snobby, or makes you feel insecure

word to the wise:
Party Pals can be totally fun to be around, but if you're in dire need of some major advice and the Party Pal blows you off for her latest bash, RSVP right out of her life.

the last word :
"I have a ton of friends, but none of them are more fun than Katie is. There's never a dull moment with her around. We always manage to hit every single clambake in town. If it's happening, we're there! When I'm with her, I feel like I'm in a movie or something. She may not be my closest friend, but she's definitely the most fabulous." -Jamie, 16

Study Buddy

She's the girl with all the answers-literally. Together, you ace tests and breeze through homework, no problem! Here, the facts on the girl with all the facts: your Study Buddy.

favorite clothes:
Comfy clothes that are easy to think in-sweats, T-shirts, and tennis shoes

dead giveaway:
That stack of textbooks in her arms

favorite food:
Foods scientifically proven to make you smarter-fish, tofu, and peanuts

favorite phrase:
"Is that your final answer?"

what she'll be:
Scientist, professor, doctor

never misses:
Jeopardy

totally looks up to:
Claire Danes (a true Ivy League celeb)

where you'll go together:
The library, the symphony, the bookstore

what you talk about:
Your latest test, quiz, or homework assignment

loves pals who are:
Focused, intelligent, and driven

loathes pals who are:
Lazy, air-headed, or absent-minded

hang with her if:
She helps you with your homework and inspires you to make better grades and reach your full potential

ditch her if:
She always wants to copy off your assignments or constantly tries to make you feel like she's smarter than you are

word to the wise:
It's a huge relief to have a Study Buddy around when you're cramming for finals or wrapping up that killer term paper. But if your Study Buddy expects you to do all the work or turns the grading system into a competition, tell her she flunked on friendship.

the last word:
"I don't know how I'd make it without my friend Jenni. She studies with me at least three days a week, and we quiz each other before every major test. Since I met her, I've gone from a 2.5 grade point average to a 3.5, and my confidence level has shot through the roof. We're a mean, lean test-taking team!" -Kari, 17

Plastic Pal

Everyone has at least one friend who's a little on the plastic side. She's not 100 percent fake exactly-but when she tells you that you look amazing when you're wearing leggings and a tank, you have to wonder if she's telling you the whole truth. Get ready for the fantastic-plastic facts:

favorite clothes:
Trendy clothes that look good but don't last-little minis, halters, and clunky sandals

dead giveaway:
That fake, saccharine-sweet smile that's always plastered on her face

favorite food:
Think no calories, no flavor-fat-free cheese, baked potato chips, imitation bacon bits

favorite phrase:
"You look sooooooooooo cute!"

what she'll be:
Politician, fashion stylist, public relations exec

never misses:
Politically Incorrect

totally looks up to:
Britney Spears (who has been accused of having a few plastic parts)

where you'll go together:
Places everyone else goes to-amusement parks, the pool, the mall

what you talk about:
How cute you look, how cute she looks, how cute everyone else thinks you look

call her when:
You need a quick compliment and an ego boost

but ring up someone else when:
You really want honest insight

loves pals who are:
Bubbly, flattering, and eager to please

loathes pals who are:
Brutally honest, confrontational, and controversial

hang with her if:
She's fun, upbeat, and makes you feel good about yourself

ditch her if:
She's mean-spirited, untrustworthy, or unreliable

word to the wise:
Plastic Pals are superficial, but they can be tolerable as long as you don't tell them anything you don't want everyone else to know. The second she spreads rumors about you or talks bad behind your back, however, it's time to kick her to the curb.

the last word:
"My friend Tina is kind of fake, but we have fun together. When I want to go dancing or have a good time, she's a great person to call. We'll never be best friends, but that's okay. Sometimes you just want to hang out with someone you can have fun around-even if she doesn't always tell it like it is." -Belinda, 14

Boy Bud

He's the guy you like but don't like like. You can tell him anything and always count on him to give you the "guy perspective." Here's all you need to know about the Boy Bud:

favorite clothes:
Jeans, Ts, baseball caps

dead giveaway:
The smile on his face after he cracks one of his infamous "guy" jokes

favorite food:
Anything and everything-buffalo wings, corn chips, Ding Dongs

favorite phrase:
"What do you see in that guy?"

what he'll be:
Coach, stockbroker, salesman

never misses:
The Drew Carey Show

totally looks up to:
Ben Affleck (Matt Damon's boy bud)

where you'll go together:
The game, the arcade, the driving range

what you talk about:
Why men are from Mars and women are from Venus

loves pals who are:
Fun, vivacious, and ready for anything

loathes pals who are:
Bossy, super-critical, or negative

hang with him if:
He's fun, supportive, and like the big bro you never had

ditch him if:
He's self-centered, stuck-up, or you think he's only being friends with you in hopes you'll want something more (Unless, that is, you start to develop feelings for him!)

word to the wise:
It's great to have a guy friend you can tell anything to. And he's a perfect standby when you need a guy to go somewhere with but don't want to deal with a date. But if you think he really wants something more, show him the door.

the last word:
"I've been great friends with Trevor since seventh grade. He helps me with my crushes and I help him with his. Plus, he never acts catty like some of my girlfriends do. He's always mellow and low-key, no matter what's going on around him. He's truly the best guy I know." -Mandy, 16

Old Friend

You've known this girl forever and a day. She's been there for everything-your first kiss, your first bra, even your first crush. Here's how to spot the Old Friend, a true oldie-but-goodie:

favorite clothes:
Fashion infused with history, like old concert Ts, retro low-riders, and vintage Adidases

dead giveaway:
That stack of old yearbooks she has in her room

favorite food:
Lunchbox faves-sandwiches, Rice Krispie treats, Lunchables

favorite phrase:
"Do you remember the time . . . ?"

what she'll be:
Historian, teacher, documentary filmmaker

never misses:
Wonder Years reruns

totally looks up to:
Drew Barrymore (the star we've seen grow up on screen)

where you'll go together:
The park, the movies, your old hangouts

what you talk about:
Times you've shared, people you've known, and anything else regarding the "good old days"

call her when:
You need advice from someone who truly knows you

but ring up someone else wh...