Dear Panel,

In the beginning he seemed really interested and then all of a sudden it changed. You see, I am African American and he is fully white.

He has admitted a few times he doesn't want to be with me because of the race issue. He also said the only thing holding him back was the race. He is afraid if he did, people would say stuff about us.

I tried to explain to him, it's who I am, not what I am. We are best friends. We tell each other everything. What should I do?

– KK

Female, age 14, Ohio