Discussion Question #3

Doug Anderson creates a lot of tension between a group of girls throughout the entire book.  Discuss Doug's relationships with all of the girls and what happens in the end.

Doug is stuck in a love triangle and can't
 choose which girl he likes the most.

     Doug is a girl's dream man.  He has bright blue eyes and he is drop dead gorgeous.  On the outside he seems to be a perfect guy; However, on the inside, he never knows how to make up his mind in relationships.  Doug constantly goes from girl to girl and it leads to some conflicts between friends.  When Diane first sees Doug, she falls head over heels for him.  She loved him for two years before he actually made a move on her.  They went on one date and it ended in tears.  Doug had broken her heart after she had told him that she loved him.  Doug then moves on to one of Diane's best friends, Karen.  Karen knew that dating Doug would be a bad idea so she tries to stay calm. "He's just so ridiculously handsome.  I can barely take a full breath" (206).   Doug knew he wouldn't have a shot with Karen because of what he did to Diane so he decides to move on again.  Doug then sets his eyes on Laurie.  Laurie really likes Doug but she does not think that dating him would be the right thing to do.  Although, Laurie decides to date Doug and it last for awhile.  "Today, Doug Anderson and I have been dating for three years.  I don't want to believe these two facts, not being a bridesmaid and dating Doug, are related in any way" (250).  Laurie is very happy with Doug but she still wonders if the girls are mad at him for what he did.  While Laurie and Doug were dating,  Doug tries to hook back up with Karen.  The good thing is, is that Karen decided to stay away from Doug because she knew that Doug was with Laurie.  Doug and Laurie end up breaking up and Laurie was very upset.  "Laurie, all alone in the world, falls for the first guy who bothers to pay attention to her for more than five minutes at a stretch" (283).  The girls knew that Laurie and Doug would not end well, but no one thought that it would last three years.  Doug is a perfect example of a child.  Just like kids, he can not make up his mind on the things in life and he is also very greedy with the girls he goes out with.  In the end, the girls all realize that dating Doug was a bad idea and they decide to keep their relationships intact instead of letting the be destroyed by a stupid guy.