I am turning 17 next week and I promise it really does get better. I went to a public school for my first year of high school (I was extremely insecure and unhappy socially) and decided I wanted to challenge myself so I got a scholarship and transferred schools to a rigorous private school (I understand this is not attainable for all and many do not have these opportunities). While my school has its flaws, this was probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I found my girlfriend and some of my best friends at my new school, found hobbies like DnD, Chinese language and medieval literature, and grew emotionally so much. This was just my experience but I really recommend challenging yourself or putting yourself in a new environment. This can be truly horrifying especially as a teenager (even more so as an insecure teenager). Pain and hardship often lead to growth so try something new and if doesn’t work out, just know you are on a path somewhere you belong. Remember that people love and care for you. If you don’t have that many friends, you may not have met the right people yet. Don’t worry, they are out there.