The leader is the partner who leads the dance. Typically, that's the man. But some people use the terms "leader" and "follower" rather than "man" and "woman" because there are some circumstances in which the roles might be reversed (like in a class or lesson) or two people of the same gender dance together.

Well...if they are your friends then they shouldn't do anything mean to you or say anything harmfull to you about your dancing. Think of it like this: when a friend askes you to dance...
they want to dance with you thats why they asked so when your friends ask you to dance think of it as a flattery. These people are still your friends so when you feel nervous start up a conversation like you would when not dancing...when dancing its not like your friends changed into mean evil rude dancers. have fun dancing.