I always feel anxious, and I hate it so much. I know I need help, maybe some close friends but my anxiousness is like whispering negative things like "what if.." stuffs in my head. I'm trying to deal with it by reading biblical or non-biblical quotes about being positive and anxiousness and always hang out with jolly people. I kinda try to avoid those negative people because they make me more think negative about the people around me but I feel sorry for them because I know that they also need help but they are making it a lot worse for me. They're not helping at all. All those negative people do is whine, whine, even about the little things that you shouldn't even worry about.
I think the cause of my anxieties is probably I'm new to school. And also.. my friends. Yeah, because in this new school, like I'm trying to be "popular". I know I shouldn't do it and try to be myself more but I don't know what's gotten into me. I just know that I need to have friends, and with that, I'll be popular and I'll happy and my anxieties will be gone. But I think this situation of being and trying to be with the cool kids make me more anxious. I REALLY NEED TO BE MYSELF. I always say to myself. I kinda.. I don't know. I'm such a mess. I really need help. I don't even know how to express myself properly.
Guys, please help me

How do I build my confidence all over again and stay positive? I always search about this on the internet but I need more. I think what I'm trying to find is someone, personally who will listen to me but the "what ifs" in my mind keeps coming. PLEASE HELP.