fear of rejection sucks (I have it, im speaking from personal experience) and it'll definitely slow you down. I know it's hard, I know that it feels like a dead-end but it'll be fine, if you get rejected sure they might be mean but truly what's the worse they'll do? sometimes you gotta get over your fears and make way for love (Not romantically but platonically) in your life. I believe in you, keep going.