Where are you going? Location change like that can DEFINITELY help, as long as you're not too scared to try. Which can indeed be scary.

Here's a good secret to building friendships, though: Don't be ashamed of hiding some parts of yourself. If you find someone who truly respects you, they're much more likely to respect anything else you choose to divulge (though there is always a risk). Even in fandom, that's how things work, just on a different level. :)