I equate this place in some ways to series that I love, there are certain characters that leave the show and it sucks, but I'll keep watching. There are those main few though that it wouldn't be worth watching without at least the promise of their return ;)

Yeah, just like in highschool my sports were cross country running and skiing, technically a part of teams, but really competing against myself :) Never did cliques either, I had my core crew of friends, but we mingled in every circle.