In need of some personal advice

[Rose]

Ok, so I know this is a Subsim forum, and not some hangout for the emotionally troubled... but I know we're a real tight community here, and I thought maybe you guys (and girls) could lend a kid some advice. Hell, I've even seen people ask for marriage help , so I reckon I'll give it a shot. Either that, or I'll turn out to be a complete fool. So here goes:

One of my closest friends (and the closest at my school), James, is getting into a bit of trouble (in my view at least). He is a great kid... never drinks and only been high a few times. He's hilarious, has alot of friends, and frankly, he doesn't need to get involved with that stuff. We hang out alot and always have a good time going to movies, skiing in the park, going to his country house, etc.

I got really down when I learned he first smoked weed, because I knew it would only lead to more things like that in the future, and his innocence went *poof* in an instant (clish'e and corny, I know, but I can't think of anything better).

At the end of last year, he started becoming the friend of this real fast kid (gets absolutely blitzed and trashed every weekend). This kid is in the group of kids who think they're real cool, get ****ed up every weekend, then talk about their experiences the whole rest of the week (you know, the "cool" clique... every school has one.). They think they're awesome, and they let everyone know it.

So anyway, my friend James and this kid have been innocent mates until something I found out tonight. When I asked James if he could hang out Friday, I learned he got invited to go out by some kids in this group, including the "fast" kid I mentioned earlier. I was absolutely devastated to say the least. I'm afraid he's gonna get completely ****ed up with this group, and he's gonna want to keep going back for more. I don't want it to get to his head, being with these people and getting trashed. I want to still be able to go to a normal movie with him and just chill.

I mean, we're 15... I've been trashed and stoned; had my fun. So of course, it was inevitable that when I spoke with him tonight, and expressed my worry about him getting involved with this group, James pulls out the "Oh stop patronizing me" card, "It's not like you haven't been wasted before," he told me. But you see, that wasn't my point. I am honestly worried about him. And this is different. These people he might hang out with are different, like I told you. I'm afraid he'll get so involved with these kids that he'll forget about his real mates. The very thought of it scares me.

I just don't want him to wind up in a hospital or end up having sex with some girl he just met that night. It's just not like him... he's destined for much better things. He's really a great kid... and I'm worried. Literally worried sick.

Sure, it plays out like a soap opera and I sound like a 7th grade girl... call it puberty if you will... And if no one responds I'll look like an utter fool and I'll just delete this... But I just would like your opinions, you know, on how to cope with this and maybe what to say to James. I just need to do everything in my power to try to stop this.

Yes, there are starving kids in Africa, war in the Middle East, and other terrible things happening in the world that are infinitely more important than this. I know Steve's situation isn't even comparable to this... but right here and right now, this is the most important thing to me. Go ahead, call me selfish, but even if no one responds, it feels good just to get this off my chest .

I'm just scared I might lose someone very dear to me.

Thanks everyone, this rant is officially over --

"Rose"