I'm 18 and basically have no social life. No social media, no actual social life, zero. Last year, I decided to stop school to pursue my business, it's going pretty good so far. I got bullied a lot in the school and only had like 2-3 friends who were with me, because of that I've had social anxiety for quite some time now,

And so far the good thing that I've done is that, I've gone out of my shell and went to some conferences, social gatherings, public speaking clubs, pursuing my hobbies, going to the gym, doing martial arts, working on my self and all that. I'm working on my value, not for others, but for my self.

The problem is most of the people I meet, we're just having some formalities, like being nice to each other, respecting each other, not much joking around. I've read some books about this, and it basically just revolves around the same concepts, like listen more, ask questions and etc. I can gain some rapport, but I don't know where to go from there. Basically still stuck in that introductory state or acquaintance. In fact older people love to talk with me more, we're always in that serious frame.

How can I build friendships? How can I grow my network? How can I build actual relationships where people would want to hangout with me?

And how can I ask people to go out with me sometime? And how can I ask for their number or ask them to connect with me on social media without looking dumb? Because even if I added them on Facebook or followed them on social media and suddenly DMing them wouldn't that make me supplicative?

Also do I have to fake it till I make it? Or would it be better to be brutally honest about it, and say that I have some problems with anxiety and etc?

Because previously nobody really wanted to hang out with me, they always make up reasons why they can't come, and I usually don't get invited. Even if I do invite, rarely do they come. They always push it off another date. Anyways, that was the case before, I'm hoping to change it now.

Any suggestions and tips guys?