It's more difficult to make friends as you grow older, at least in my experience. Especially if you don't work at a huge corporation with a lot of employees. One has approach others themselves to spark a conversation. People often find that creepy. In institutions like schools or colleges it doesn't matter because everyone is acquainting each other.

I don't want a large stable of friends either. I only need three-four people whom I can be intimate with. I'm just trying my chances and socializing because I'm tired of talking to people in real life as I have never found anyone who has the same interests or hobbies like me. I'm not into stuff usual teens like to talk about. Majority of the conversations I have had, both in real life and on the internet were with people 5-50 years older than me. I have even talked to 60 year olds back when I was 13.

I know how it feels. Few people just listen and provide no input themselves. Neither they ask any questions or share their experiences. It feels like I'm talking to a doll. There should be intimacy in every kind of relationship, platonic or romantic. If there isn't, the person is just an acquaintance, not a friend. If you would like to be a friend, I can be one. You can read a bit about me in the recent post on my profile. However, keep in mind that I'm not a quick respondent as I'm not holding my phone 24x7. I switch off the internet connection whenever I don't need it.