I think when she does eventually make a good friend, she will be a loyal friend, she just hasn't found the right person yet.
I am still looking for that "friend" and I am 44 years old!
There are some of us who define 'friend' differently from others.
There're party people who socialise very easily, bump into at least 10 people they're familiar with on the street. Everyone they meet is 'a friend'. Nevermind how shallow or deep.
Some folk also wheel and deal really easy. It's how some people choose to play the friends game.
The consistency is not there and hence, the child has given up the idea of making friends. Once it has set in, the child became independent and it will transcend into teenage. He/she would just be by him/herself and shut out from the world. This is sad.
I agree. It's like a dance you have to learn the moves to early in life to enjoy it. If one figures out the dance steps later, some cynicism creeps in with growing up as well.
But while that's sad, that child also learns independence and self-reliance. One can also be too trusting and be taken on a ride by so-called friends.