To Try or Not To Try? That Is the Question

So I'm one of those awkward kids who sit by themselves at parties and usually spend their weekends at home by themselves with a whole lot of food and streaming movies online (totally not what I'm doing this weekend). You'll need to keep this in mind to see the contrast in the next situation.

So I'm sitting outside of class waiting for it to begin so I can get it over with and go home. Also, I was hungry. So I sit against the wall and try to be away from other people, however more people begin showing and they begin to start to sit in my general vicinity. Not impressed. We're all sitting there silently, as it should be, when one fellow from my class begins a conversation. He says hello and he's very friendly. He even notices that we almost form a circle and then suggests that I move away from the wall and in closer to the group and complete the circle.

What the hell. Okay, I know I should not be mad for someone trying to include me, but the thing is, you can't politely decline joining other people. So I was forced to interact socially. Now, this fellow manages to keep the conversation going, even as I mostly just stare at my shoes and glance at the classroom door hoping it will open and we can just start class. However this is not the case.

Now, I start to wonder, as I look at this awkward boy who is friendly and talking cheerfully. He even mentions that he once got a pencil set for Christmas, and upon further questioning he admits that yes, that's what he wanted. The question on my mind is, Is it better to be socially awkward and try to be social or should we accept our awkward fate?

The latter is usually how I deal. Whenever I try to start conversations they usually end up very short, with a lot of nodding and then a quick exit. But somehow this kid, who always has a packed lunch (in university, really?) and sits at the front and always seems to have something to say about the readings, still manages to walk away from class having had a few conversations and what seems to be a friend. Whereas I sit at the back, usually avoiding eye contact and almost always has nothing to say, but still show up every week.

I could probably make friends if I smiled politely and started a conversation, but that's a lot of effort on my part. Is it worth the effort? Or will I just have more awkward conversations and more people who avoid the seat next to me?

So what do you guys think? Should I try? Or accept my fate?