need advice on maintaining good social circle of friends

I have a hard time making friends and there is a pattern that follows here. Basically I am friendly to begin with but keep my dignity and do not over indulge in friendship at the very start. When I act a bit formal and reserved it gains people's interest about my mysterious life. But when it clicks to a certain extent and I become slightly closer friends with them say start doing gettogehers and hanging out or playing a indoor sport of some sort, I love the company and open myself up and seem happy. This openness is like my vulnerability which oftentimes gets exploited so friends would pass a sarcastic remark or take me less seriously or play pranks on me of some sort. Being a self respecting person I avoid such company and run for the hills and stop communicating with that person. Oftentimes they start missing my presence although it takes a while and they might even probably realize their offensive behavior. But I am not the aggressive fighter types to tell them in their face usually that they hurt me when they do because I know that never works well and can end up tarnishing friendship for good sometimes even have them lose respect for you altogether.
This has happened to me several times when I try to form a group of friends and it seems it's just me most of the times in such situations. I wouldn't be surprised if you called me politically weak, I hate diplomacy and although I'm not curt and brutal I enjoy mutual respect in any form of relationship and find it hard to get always, even though I respect others. There is a high probability I choose my friends wrong to begin with and maybe less mature and younger in age than me(say early - mid 20s) but I have limited choice on that front given my surrounding.
I would like to make a strong set of friends without having people to walk all over me. I know some really dynamic leaders who are able to take a stand and also manage to be respected and maintain all social relationships well. How do they do that and how can I become that ?
Today I have few friends and very few close ones because I'm sensitive and keep distance from people who hurt me or humiliate me.

Hello samaira: I'm sorry I can't be of much help with regard to your concern. I lead a pretty-much thoroughly solitary lifestyle. I have no friends. However I noticed this is your first post here on PC. So... to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! May the time you spend here be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

I hear you.. trying to make friends when you're a sensitive person can be a struggle. Perhpas you just need to fidn the right people. I don't know how many friend you have, but sometimes it's best to not have too many of them.. just choose the people that actually understand and resepct your feelings.