Just a comment on the whole friends issue. It's always been my opinion that you can always try dating someone that you have had a friendship with, and if it doesn't work out, you can revert back to being friends (basically because you already know you can be friends with them). This is something that you can rarely do with someone you meet, and immediate start dating because you had no other feelings for them beforehand besides that first interest of dating. From my own personal experience and from all of my friends that have tried, it's a proven theory. It might be a little awkward for a little while, but everyone get's over it.

Another argument in favor of having a number of friends of the opposite sex... the most obvious. Those girls know plenty of other girls. Anyway, I don't know how old you are, but my advice is don't take it too seriously. Relationships are great learning experiences... about yourself and others.