How can I make friends?

alright, i know that it is hard to be a teenager and “finding your place” and “fiting in” because i am going through it as well. i am going to be 16 this summer and life has definitley had its ups and downs but i am always willing to help others before myself so i would love to suggest something to you. my guess, is you are a rather shy person. it is human nature to pull yourself to people who make you feel comfortable and secure, which is good but has its faults as well. for instance, have you ever been to a party, or somewhere with a bunch of people and your one friend but when you’re with them, you find yourself being really shy, or only talking to her? because that could be the problem. if you don’t take risks to befriend people, they might not either. THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU SHOULD CHANGE YOURSELF TO MAKE OTHER PEOPLE HAPPY. after all, “the only people you need in life are the ones that prove they need you in theirs” but if i were in this situation, i would just try to be more open with people.. when you are at a party try not to stick with your friend the whole time, venture off and make conversation with someone knew. it might be scary, but every now and then you’ll come across a nice one and you’ll share similar interests. and there you go. you’ve got another friend. another thing i could consider in your shoes, is maybe joining a sports team or a club. when i first came to high school two years ago, i feared rejection from upperclassmen but when i joined cross country, the girls i ran with became like sisters to me. they still remain to be some of my closest friends and its so easy to talk to them. either way, to gain more friends, you have to risk rejection and you have to be a little more outgoing. and that’s all it will take, because friends don’t just happen, you’ve got to want to help this person any way they help you. good luck, i’m sure you’ll be just fine. just have a little confidence, will you? (by the way, sorry that this is really long. but i hope its helpful.)