I have EXTREAMLY curly hair, and I need help?

My hair is so curly, I was born with natural curls, but I hate them. All my friends say, "So many girls would kill to have your hair." but I would kill to have their hair. If I straighten it, it takes FOREVER! I was wondering if there is some sort of secret to getting that soft, silky, smooth, straight hair. This is gonna sound stupid, but all the guys at my school like to run their fingers through the hair of the girls with that kind of hair, and I get so mad. But whenever I do get my hair done that certain way, EVERYONE like to do that, and that makes me feel important I guess, so that is the main reason why I would like to get that nice hair. Can anyone help me?