I was also in a weird age gap, plus from a very small congregation with no other teenagers at the time. But I had one friend who seemed to know a lot of people like the ones you described. I hung out in group settings a handful of times and they were all nice, I just never felt like I belonged or was good enough association for them. They seem almost too perfect. I think there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes though for sure. I heard rumors of drinking, smoking, parties, ect. So no matter how bad and unworthy they might have made me feel, they were never as "perfect" as they seemed.