Sorry, I might ramble a bit. I am very similar to you but with boys. I (24F) have been badly bullied to the point of getting beaten up by boys in middle school, in high school they picked up on this and always treated me very poorly. Since then, I am having trouble making friends and communicating with men. While now men are often interested in me and try to be nice to me, some can still be pretty mean or dismissive when they sense my uneasiness and lack of confidence. But I've been getting much better lately, I've found out that oftentimes I automatically assume guys don't like me when it's just my imagination. Some of my closest friends are now men and I have to tell you, the communication is exactly the same as with girls. It might seem a bit easier to you because some guys who are interested in you will give you special treatment while girls won't. But with pure friends, pretty much the same. I have to tell you, don't give up on trying to befriend girls. I'm very sorry you had bad experience with them and I think it really depends on the randomness of what gender of shitty people we meet the most throughout our lives. I always go and talk to girls first since I'm comfortable doing that and I have to tell you, I've met so many supportive and kind women. Don't let the few shitty ones ruin it for you. My advice is also to never think of other women as a competition or compare your looks or whatever. When I see a pretty girl, I admire her and when I talk to her, I compliment whatever I liked about her. Sometimes it lowers her walls because she knows you won't try to compete with her. So many women ruin their relationship because of unnecessary rivalry, it's ridiculous. And about what you should do more - it's difficult. I'd say do the same thing you do with guys and don't assume girls don't like you. Never ever say stuff like 'guys are less drama' or 'I'm not like other girls' if you by chance do. Don't tell other girls you don't get along with girls and your friends are guys. You don't have to smile more, just be yourself in that regard. Maybe try to chat up some girls at a party, some friends or gfs of your friends. Here I can give you my guide to "picking up" female friends. Generally, you can go by compliment if they're pretty or just a simple greeting - > small talk about party - > small talk about stuff in common or interesting hobbies, some jokes. Try to look like you're really interested (or better, be actually interested) in the other person and try to find some common interest like music, TV show, movies, food, whatever. If you succeed and have a nice engaging chat, say something about exchanging Facebook contact because you'd love to talk more or ask them if they'll come to some other even you might meet them at. It might be a bit sudden but they usually are quite happy to do so. I wouldn't message them to just talk but rather ask them to come to some event or if they would be up to get a coffee, drink or something, ideally some kind of thing you already talked about when you met. Or it can be about hobbies, 'you do pole dance? Id love to try that sometimes, is it possible to come try it out sometime?'. If you're not confident talking to them yet, alcohol might help a bit. Good luck, op!