I was that kid too....
The bit that really struck a chord with me was:
"I am too shy to talk to people I don't know because I don't want them to judge me. I am too shy to say "Hey how's it going?" to somebody I want to get to know because I'm afraid they don't want to talk to me. I can't string a sentence together properly in front of people I don't know - because I get that nervous."
I was - and still am, to an extent - exactly the same. I was bullied daily from about the age of 5 to the age of 15, and it wasn't until I was almost 18 that I actually got to know anyone at college because I was so shy and withdrawn. The sad thing is that in retrospect, people WERE reaching out to me but I was too shy and afraid to realise it.

BUT - I got better. I found friends who were worthwhile, and I am much better now. I can talk to people! And so can you, or else you wouldn't be here. In summary (my writing is a bit dissociated as this is all important enough for me to just write, not think over what to write beforehand) you are lovely, charming and eloquent, and you'll get through it with a little help from your friends. I did :)
(Lord of Balrogs, Sat 16 May 2009, 14:59, Reply)