Not always, but a lot of times not having friends in Middle School is class based. When I had this age I moved schools, in the first one I was objectively poorer than almost everyone else and the subject of bullying and loneliness. I would hide in the library during reccess not only because I liked reading, but to avoid the pain.

Moved to another school were I was absolutely average socio-economically speaking, had some of the best years in my life. Rich kids are incredibly cruel.

Having friends in middle school can be pretty tough.

Learning how to have friends in elementary school and high school is a lot easier and mostly unconnected with middle school friendship.

Hopefully your social life doesn't revolve around friendship with middle schoolers, so no big deal if you miss out on that skill.

Umm... most people are really bad at relationships in middle school.