I am a 19-year-old boy, a virgin, and I have a crush. I am good-looking and in good shape (I get that from people — I’m not bragging, and it’s nothing I’m proud of — I just got lucky with my genes).

I grew up in Kuwait, a conservative country, and never spoke to a girl in my life. Now I am studying abroad in Turkey, and there is this girl in my department I am crazy about. I have known her for a year and a half, and she is the most beautiful thing in the world.

Here comes the problem, though: I can’t be with her for several reasons. It’s not that I am just shy (although I am). I literally can’t for reasons that would take too long to explain. I haven’t seen her much this last semester, which made her come up less in my thoughts. But when I do, my heart just rips out of my chest, and my day is ruined.

What can I do to stop this? How can I forget her or just stop thinking about her? I can’t get a girlfriend, because no girl looks pretty after seeing that girl for the first time 1.5 years ago. It’s ruining my life, study, and sleep.