I like Sarahsweets advice about offering to help. I have always avoided large cliques and had a small group of friends. I don't think I was in the "cool" group and told myself I liked it that way! Also, I sometimes would drink too much to ease my anxiety when put into a situation like you are describing. I like Divine's advice to just try to find one person to get to know. If it were me, I wouldn't even try to find acceptance with the entire group but there has to be someone in that group who you find likable and vice versa. It does sound uncomfortable.