David,
It may be your attitude. You seem to think that you are permenently single. Not the case but this attitude might be portrayed to others who meet you.
Befriending them is definitely a problem. Not a big one though as friendship is the foundation for any successful relationship.
Just don't become too friendly, too clingy. You need to keep some mystery about you. Keep them guessing.
Most of all be yourself but don't surrender to your partner.
Early on be funny, keep it light. It is all about fun. But don't be too available. As I said keep a little mystery about yourself.
Wildcat recommends to lok at this site and I agree. You can get some great tips.
www.askmen.com
Read the articles by Doc Love and others on relaitonships. There are heaps there and you should be able to get some tips about how to keep them interested.
But don't beat yourself up. You are probably doing lots of things right but you may just rush things a little and scare them away.
We see this happen often. You should take relationships very slow. Take a while to get to know the person. There is no rush. You don't need to know every detail about someone on the first date and vice versa.
And don't go looking for a relationship either. Just be yourself and go about your life in a positive way. Love yourself and then when you least expect it someone will come along and love you back.
So don't worry. You'll be fine!
But at 18 you shouldn't really be ready to settle down permanently. At least you shouldn't be looking for it.
Enjoy your youth. Date many people. Get to know what's out there. Because right now you probably want something completely different to what you want in 5 years time.
You are young and have so much time ahead of you to worry about relaitonships.
Right now say hang with your mates, go out and experience what being an 18 year old is all about.
That's what all the 18 year old girls will be doing.
They don't want a guy who is looking to settle down now.
They want a fun and easy going guy who they can have a good time with and makes them laugh.
Not some drone who wants to settle down!
Be a fun guy, love yourself, improve yourself and others will love you too!
Oh and sorry, just one more thing.
I had a girl from the age of 16 until about 4 months ago (im now 24 so that was 7 years together) and she dropped me because she never got a wildgirl stage in her life because she was always with me.
Girls your age right now don't want that and if they do chances are down the track they may thinnk they have missed out on something.
At least mine did.
So as I said, be young and free for while. You'll find that will be the biggest turn on to most girls!