I have a second grader, but one of the things I started to stress last year is being friends with everyone. Even though she is in a gifted class, all gifted are not equal. And I find that if DD hangs with different kids, all the time, it helps. I think it helps all the other kids because they seem to all now say "today, I want to play with so and so, or sit with so and so at lunch, tomorrow I will sit (or play) with you". No feelings are hurt and getting rid of the cliques in our class.
So socially, it works better and also she is less bored as new, even if new just for a few days works better than same old, same old. Maybe this strategy only works for younger kids.
I think feeling different is just part of being HG. Being a part of a crowd, or every crowd and no crowd at the same time. I remind DD that her brain works differently and tell her about some of my experiences.