Dear Anika, I’ve noticed that a popular group of boys who hang out near my locker have become friends with a loner boy, who isn’t cool or popular. When the loner boy is not around, the popular boys are constantly make fun of him. I overheard them saying that they only befriended him for entertainment. I know this isn’t right. I feel bad for the loner boy. What should I do? From, Abby. ------ Dear Abby, You are correct, what the popular boys are doing isn’t right. And yes, you must tell this boy being made fun of. You can do this in two simple steps: ➔ Step 1: Talk to the loner boy privately about why the other boys befriended him. You’ve have to tell, for the benefit of you and the boy. But you must sound assertive, and not like you’re tattletaling. The boy probably won’t believe you at first , then give him examples of how his ‘friends’ are talking about him and why. ➔ Step 2: Since you are a third party in this matter, you should not intervene. Instead...