Friend: I have to tell you something.
You: I know, I love The Real Housewives of Atlanta, too.
Friend: No, well yes, but that’s not it. You have to promise not to say anything, okay? Promise?
You: Well, yeah obvi. Your secret is safe with me.
Friend: I hooked up with Alex last night.

Okay, so here’s the problem: Alex isn’t just some guy. Alex is the guy with whom your friend is cheating (well this is the second time) on her boyfriend. Bigger problem: you happen to be really good friends with boyfriend boy.

Oy.

So, what do you do? How do you deal? Should you smack some sense into her? Pause, breathe and listen up. There is a right way and a wrong way to deal with this sticky sitch and, just so you know, leaving a handprint on her cheek is definitely the wrong way.

While what your BFF is telling you is hard to hear, she’s coming to you for a reason. It’s obviously been buggin’ her and she wants to get it out. This can be taken as a cry for help, or just because she needs to get it off her chest. Whatever the reason, you got some work to do, sister.

1. You need to evaluate your relationship with her.
If she is your best friend, then you are going to stick with her through this no matter what. No, that does not mean you are going to be supportive of this bad bad behavior and celebrate her mistakes, but it does mean that you are not going to run to Boyfriend and tell him what happened.

2. You need to make Friend understand why she is doing this.
People usually don’t just cheat because they are bored and don’t have cable. Most likely, there is an underlying reason for the behavior, whether that is jealousy, boredom, confusion, or just the fact that she knows she can get away with it. But in no way do any of these things make it okay. How much does she truly care about Boyfriend?

3. Is this what she really wants?
No one said relationships were easy. And college relationships are probably the hardest to sustain in a healthy manner. With constant temptation, alcohol flowing, and our hormones going crazy, college seems to be just one giant ad campaign for cheating mates. And for many people, they just cannot do it; they can’t handle a relationship. Maybe she is one of them. If Friend doesn’t want to put in the effort to make the relationship work, (that means NO cheating) then she doesn’t deserve to be in the relationship in the first place. Explain this to her, as hard as it may be. Tell her to put herself in Boyfriend’s shoes – how the hell would she feel? Is this really the type of person she is? If she doesn’t stop now, why would she ever stop?

4. Don’t forget about yourself!
Guilt trip her. Okay, not really, but kinda. Tell her how terrible you feel for knowing this and tell her it’s not fair to you to be put in this awful position. If she isn’t upset that you are upset, maybe this friendship needs to be reconsidered, too.

Look. This sucks. Cheating sucks. Knowing your friend cheats just sucks. But, ultimately, the decision of continuing to cheat, stopping, telling her BF, whatever, is hers. Not yours.  She is going to do whatever she wants, so the best thing you can do, without completely getting absorbed into her life, is just help the girl out. Give her advice by telling her what you would do. Don’t be afraid to be harsh, but don’t be too judgmental, either. Not only will that not solve anything, but it will push that girl right out of your life. Just sit back and be the best best friend (BBFF?) you can be.

Have you ever been in this icky situation? What did you do?

David Beckham refuses to pose with Angie?

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Why is Christian Bale so skinny!?

Those NYC Prep kids are totally effed.

Jon Gosselin’s girlfriend is really classy.

15 ways to Go Green on campus.

And with all the amazingness that summer TV has to offer, kicking back with a Diet Coke and some Smart Pop (and probably some aloe to rub on that “I’m having so much fun I forgot to put on sunscreen” burn) will be just as good as a day at the wave pool. Actually, considering the amount of chilren that pee in that place, this is a whole lot better.

Secret Life of the American Teenager
June 22

The Secret Life is back, baby!! When the season ended, Amy delivered baby John, Ashley moved in with her dad, Grace + Jack = 4-ever, and Adrian ended up alone.  Season Two brings more baby mama drama for Amy, and SOMEONE WILL DIE! (Duh duh duuuuuh.)

Army Wives
In Progress

Think being a soldier in the army is hard? It is. But the Army Wives have their own troubles: falling out of love with their husbands stationed in Iraq, starting a career, kissing a doctor (boss), getting a motorcycle, sending their sons off to war, having an affair… it’s a rough time!! And that was only one army wife.  This circle of women is tough! They fight off stalkers, tend to husbands with PTSD, deal with the death of family members, and battle the vicious tongues of the other prying wives. This show is incredibly moving and drama-rific; perfect for a summer night.

Nurse Jackie
In Progress

Oh yeahhh! Edie Falco is back on the tube. Unfortunately, she is no longer Carmela Soprano.  Instead she plays Jackie O’Hurley, an emergency room nurse in New York City.  Jackie is brilliant, sarcastic and witty, but super flawed and abuses meds to get through the days.  I smell drama.

(PS. For those looking for a Twilight fix, Peter Facinelli plays a doctor on the show! Hotness.)

Entourage
July 12

Maybe you’ve got a Soft spot for E, a secret crush on Turtle, hots for Drama, totally wanna eff Vince. Or maybe you love ‘em all. (Sigh.) Either way, they are comin’ back in a big way and bringing some hot friends along with em. In Entourage’s sixth season, expect cameos by teen heartthrob Zac Efron, Kate Mara (E’s new secretary) and more.  Let’s just hope things turn up for Vince… and he doesn’t lose (CollegeCandy’s fave) Ari to the other side of Hollywood.

NYC Prep
June 23

Gossip Girl’s season just ended but never fear – there is a replacement. Albeit, a watered down replacement sans the Blair-Chuck drama and soothing voice of an anonymous tell-all. NYC Prep is a reality show (yes, another one) that stalks the “elite teens” of New York City and gives us glimpses of their (totally absurd, puke-in-your-mouth) drama.  Yes, it’s embarrassing to be excited for this, but we won’t tell if you won’t.

Jon and Kate plus Eight
In Progress

Jon and Kate are taking care of their eight kids and struggling with their marriage. With the tabloids showcasing Jon’s alleged affair with a 23-year-old,  his family speaking out against the supposed child exploitation, and  the humane society is after Jon for animal abuse – this show just got higher on my radar.

True Blood
June 14

If you didn’t watch this show last season, you better start. Just be prepared for some serious vampire sexy time (this is most definitely not Twilight).  True Blood promises a lot more nudity and violence this season and yes, just as much romance.  Rumor has it that Evan Rachel Wood (known for Across the Universe, Marilyn Manson’s ex-gf, Thirteen) will be in Season 2 as a powerful, vampire Queen.

America’s Got Talent
June 23

Most of the people on this show amaze me.  Most.

Project Runway
August 20

Project Runway is finally back and even if it’s now on Lifetime, it’s still gonna be good.  It’s been far too long since we’ve had our Tim Gunn/Heidi Klum/Michael Kors fix, so we’re trying to make it work as we count down the days to the premiere.

10 Things I hate about you
July 7

Should there even be a television series based on a classic movie? Will it survive one season? Why oh why are all the Nickelodeon and Disney tween idols acting in it? I can’t answer any of these questions, but I will most definitely be watching.