DEAR HARRIETTE: One night can change everything. I never thought that until now. After feeling sick for a couple of days, I went to the doctor to find out why. The doctor did a bunch of tests, and finally he came back in the room. He smiled as he told me, “Congratulations! You’re pregnant.”

This would be a perfect dream if I weren’t only 21. It would be lovely if I weren’t a struggling college student with parents who think I’m an angel. It really would be enjoyable if I at least could say that I was married and I knew for sure who the father was.

I’m so scared. My parents come down in a few weeks; what do I tell them? I don’t want to get cut off financially. They didn’t want me to go away for college. They feared that something like this – or worse – would happen. I don’t know if my boyfriend or a guy from a party is the father. My boyfriend and I aren’t on the best of terms right now. Tired of his cheating and lying, I went to a party deciding I’d have some fun of my own. Now I’m someone’s mommy-to-be. I don’t know what to do. I’m too young for all of this. – Too Young, Jacksonville, Florida

DEAR TOO YOUNG: Find out your options from your doctor. Think about what you want to do. Tell your parents immediately. Apologize for not living up to their expectations, and then ask for their support and guidance. They may be mad, but they will likely help you figure out your next steps. You must decide what you want to do with your baby. Consider all of your options carefully.

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DEAR HARRIETTE: I had previously planned on attending prom with my close guy friend; however, he and one of my best friends have recently started dating. They left me out of the loop until now, and she told me that she is OK with me still going to prom with her boyfriend. That makes me extremely uncomfortable. I’m not sure if she is saying this only because she feels bad for taking my date and also hiding their relationship from me, or if she really does feel it is OK for us to attend prom together. If the latter is true, I don’t understand, and the bottom line is that I am uncomfortable. I’m also uneasy about them speaking about the issue and making a decision without involving me. I feel I should have a say in whether I feel comfortable going to the prom with him. What should I do? – Feeling Betrayed, Rochester, New York

DEAR FEELING BETRAYED: Ask both of them to join you for a meeting. Tell them that you feel betrayed because you had a plan, and neither of them told you anything. You probably feel horrible because your prom is ruined given your friends’ desire to be together rather than to support you. Try to figure it out. If you still feel like you can be close to them, ask them if possibly all three of you can go to the prom together as friends and have a good time. This will work if they are willing not to be lovey-dovey.

— Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.