Dear Straight Talk: Last week I moved seven hours away from my boyfriend of two years. We are at different colleges and agreed to make it work. But I am having my doubts. He was my first and only boyfriend and I’m feeling like I need to branch out and see what life is like. However, he is deeply in love and texting me like every two seconds. Does anyone know how to tell him without hurting him? I can’t even break up in person! What should I do? — Tammi, now in Los Angeles.

Lara, 21, Concord: Completely pain-free breakups are impossible. But unhappiness or cheating hurts worse. If you break up by phone, write a letter also. I broke with my long-distance boyfriend over Skype. He has not forgiven me. Nonetheless, we both deserved more than a lopsided relationship, where one loves more than the other.