Welcome to Gaia! ::

I wonder why your parents would create such a rule...it seems silly
But they have a reason I'm sure...still sounds silly

As for your friend
I would think it best if you put all your cards on the table and just say what you feel

Your right, it would change your friendship
But your friendship is already changing
And if your friendship is true then he will not stop being your friend
Just be blunt with him and say what’s on your mind

The trick is to give an answer to any question he asks and why and how you arrived at your answer (talking through your thought process helps)
As long as you keep an open mind and an open heart so will he

I'll tell ya right now though
There is no way not to get hurt
So don't be afraid to speak your mind and follow your heart (just be smart about what you do)

in my house my parents have rules based upon our maturity level, understanding/practice of right and wrong, trust, and understanding that we are teens and may not be ready to handle those "adult situations/temptations" that we may find ourselves in or put in because of peers. We also discuss openly our questions/concerns and respect our parents, even when we really hate their decisions. It has allowed us more freedom than the arguing which was done for sometime. I learned my parents have rules for us because they are afraid for us, simply because we have not lived as long as they have and therefore we don't have the experience to pull from that they do and that scares them.

I'm not perfect and I'm definitely no angel, I've done my share of being grounded,no phone, etc... It just has become easier to really open my mind up the possibility that they love me and want the best for me, whether I understand or agree with them or not all the time.

Thanx for letting me ramble here, hope some of it might help someone.