Friendship, ..and shyness Options

[xox_starz_xox]

So at the beginning of freshmen year, i had this friend who was in the "in crowd" and because i always hung out with her that made me "popular" too..but then she left the school, nd now i hang out with different people, and the "in crowd" people dont talk to me as much..well they do but we just never hang out...i really want to hang out w/ them nd stuff, but im just too shy to confront them. how do i let them know that i still want to be friends and hang out with them..any suggestions..
and also..some people may think that the only reason i want to hang out with them is to be "popular" which isnt true, i do it because i miss them..nd yeah im not trying to be stuck up so dont mis judge me..thanx