So I'm going to tell you guys a story.
Once upon a time, there was a shy awkward girl. She didn't have many friends. She had a group of friends who she hung out with, though, and they were fine with her being the quiet one who sat in the corner and listened to their stories. She laughed at jokes, and sympathized with their stories, but never really offered any content of her own. This is the way it was, and everyone was happy with it. Slowly she began to change. Her personality differed, but she maintained the facade because it was easier. Her true self became a loud nerdy person who loved to argue. Her friends never saw this. They saw a shy quiet girl who might speak up a little more here and there, but was basically the same.
One day she transferred schools. Her friends said they would miss her, but never really contacted her after that.
So, she made a new friend. This was her best friend. One around whom she could be herself. One that would put up with her rants on why a fictional character is an idiot. This is whom the girl considered her one true friend.
Now they are going into high school, but the friend had moved. The girl will be all alone. But wait! Her old friends are going to that school too! Should she hang out with them again or just start all over wit new friends? All she knew is that she didn't want to go back to being the quiet one. It is emotionally exhausting wearing a mask 24/7. The girl is ridiculously loyal, however. But would her old friend even accept her now that she had out grown her image?
Advice is being sought on the matter. Do I carve out a new niche among my old friends, or just start over anew? I'm going to a big school with people from all over so there might be another anime/superhero obsessed weirdo out there. But I don't know whether to risk it, or not. I was a loner most of elementary school and don't want to go through that again. Thank you for listening.

>>1 knowing how people change, your old friends might be completely different people now and may accept you. However, you shouldn't go back to them, or at least I won't think that you should, they didn't put the effort in keeping in touch with you. I understand the difficulty of keeping up a facade, I keep one up but I can understand wanting to rid yourself of something fake, mine is somewhat genuine. You should take this chance to find a nerdy anime lover and make a long lasting good friend rather than a bunch of fake ones. Good luck~! And if you need a loud nerdy anime lover, I'm here as well :3

Thank you, that really help make up my mind. It's just that after having only a couple friends for most of my school career, I'm a tad bit paranoid of that happening again. But persevere forward we must. And I may have to take you up on that offer. ;P

>>3 sure thing! :3 I don't go on chat often enough so is email okay?
chitsuki.mayu@gmail.com

You have changed to be better, why you should go back to your old self? If she's really your friend, she should be happy that you have changed. :) I was a quiet type girl back in my middle school, but as I make new friends in high school, I started to become more talkative. And when I met my old friend, he said that he was more comfortable to talk to me because I'm not as quiet as my old self.

People will hope for familiarity, because that's what they're comfortable with. It's like going through notes you already reviewed before. All of a sudden, you realise - nope! The syllabus has changed. Naturally, they'll be a bit surprised (or even flabbergasted).

But you're happy being yourself. If they can't learn and accept the "new" you (really, though, just the "true" you), then it's better to just part ways peacefully.

Besides, not that there's anything "wrong" with your old self - I just like the sound of how you turned out. :3