I do have incredibly intense friendships when I have close friendships. Literally joined at hip to best friend but at the moment feel like I only hang out with him most of the time because of that. So others drift away while I'm focusing on that intense friendship. I'm always really popular with people when they first meet me - making silly jokes and being friendly and trying to help out with things - but then they get to know me and the awkward bits come out. Don't get me wrong, I love being alone. But... Urgh. Even alone we are usually indirectly interacting with others, constantly reminded of them. If I stay in for a week reading novels I am still more often than not reading about people.