Similar situation here. I have 1 friend/acquaintance at work who I only know because we catch the same bus to work. I work in a large building but in the loneliest department of them all.
This friend of mine also happens to be someone I have a crush on, first one as an adult. The answer for me is to try and meet up with her outside of work. I don't think she would with just the two of us but I plan on asking if I can tag along next time she goes out for a drink with friends.
Might even tell her I'm pretty lonely in my department and would like to go and make some friends, maybe she could introduce us. I actually don't care too much about making other friends but care a lot about getting to know her better. So if you are in a similar situation where you may have a friend who goes out often with other friends maybe you could ask them if you can join them the next time you go out.
It could end up being awkward but the alternative is to continue being lonely. It would give you chance to meet some new people and at work spend some extra time with this friend. "...had to leave at 6 because she was going out with other friends (and I wasn't invited to go out with them, but I wouldn't anyway because I don't really know them.)" I know what you mean and I would feel the same but perhaps some bravery and asking if you could go too wouldn't hurt.
They shouldn't have any reason to say "no you can't come".
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.