I know how you feel. I don't know if anyone ever thought I was mean, but I certainly grew up as the quiet one. It was because I always had the sense that I did not belong in some way. I'd like to say that I have grown out of it, but when I am social it's because I've grown tired of feeling alone. I have to force myself to be social. It's taken a lot of work. Although I still feel out of place.