questioning my sexuality... plz help!

when I was in 8th grade i think I fell in love with my best friend, Sophia. I felt like I could tell her anything in the world and when she brushed up against me or nudged me I felt tingly and warm on the inside. of course i didn't know what it meant. I've only ever felt that way around two other people since then: a guy named Cody and a girl named Nora(neither of which I have dated or confessed my feelings). my boyfriend that I dated for 4 months I didn't even feel that way around. idk if I'm bi or lesbian or what. i feel like I need to experiment and branch out before I decide to tell anyone anything. the problem is tho that I live in a small town and I'm worried about 1. everyone judging me 2. that I'll just be rejected no matter what gender and 3. I have no fucking idea how to find people to try new things with! ADVICE plz