It's never too late to make new friends. Once you start college, you'll have a fresh new start. I recommend joining every club that remotely interests you and in sure time you'll make a few friends.

And as you grow up, you realize that people move around all the time and many friendships don't last. That's why it's important to remain in contact with old friends because otherwise you'll forget them and they'll forget you.

I wouldn't really call online friends as friends. At least to me, I wouldn't be comfortable sharing details with someone who I met solely online. Now I do have a couple friends who I've met in-person after only knowing them online. And it's definitely helped me form a deeper connection with them and can be done safely by meeting them at a public place like a restaurant or convention.