We all go through those awkward stages growing up. You know the one. It was the time you had super side swept bangs, the time you wore nothing but "preppy" clothing from Abercrombie and Hollister, or even the time where you just looked plain awkward in literally every picture you took.
But there are some of us, who deviated from the ripped jeans and namesake t-shirts pack. We were those kids that your mom said would grow up to be crazy. That's right, the scene kids. Honestly, I was like slightly scene because I was to afraid to be full on scene and yes I think I regret that.
Growing up my parents were fairly lenient on anything me or my sisters wanted to do in terms of expression as long as it wasn't illegal. I mean, my older sister had a Rocky Horror themed sweet sixteen, she skated and had pink hair. Of course I wanted to be like her and once I found out that I actually liked the music she listened to and I decided I enjoyed the other things in that world.
Naturally, I found a couple friends who also made the most of our teen angst and to be honest, I would totally still hang out with them if I lived in the same place and didn't have to you know, be a young adult.
So, here are some things that only those scene kids from middle/high school will relate to.
1. Manic Panic:
I mean dying your hair insane shades of pink and blue totally made sense and it washed out soon enough that you were able to change it up when your mood about life changed about a week later.
2. Eyeliner. Just....eyeliner.
It made you seem like you were dark, mysterious and experienced with makeup. Of course, unless it was in "blackest black" or "Onyx" you weren't serious about your commitment to being scene. This one was my go to.
3. Band tees:
You literally only wore t-shirts you bought from Hot Topic. Yes, I did have a HT+1 card. I don't have any of them anymore and I wish I didn't get rid of them honestly. I still shop but never buy on band merch sites.
4. Colored Skinny Jeans:
I cannot lie I owned these in so many colors. I don't understand why my parents let me leave the house in dark purple corduroy pants I mean nothing about those were a good idea. The only exception (shoutout to Paramore) was black skinnies. They're still a good idea in my opinion.
5. Earrings in weird shapes:
I have to admit I am still a sucker for faux gauges (because I am a wimp and could never ACTUALLY gauge my ears) and interesting earrings, I literally had zipper earrings, they looked like this and I loved them.
6. Talking with your friends about the piercings and tattoos you would get when you finally could.
I actually got all of my piercings from age 13-15. I have had 8, one grew in. But, this was nevertheless something you always wanted and if you were brave enough, you did it with or without your parents permission. One time my sister got a terrible tattoo underage and my best friends in the 8th grade had their belly buttons pierced.
7. Obsessing over band members as your celebrity crushes.
If you're lucky they also made transformations so you can still crush on them now. My personal favorite is Brendon Urie, lead of Panic! At The Disco, but I had a friend who was in love with Christopher Drew of Never Shout Never. Also, RIP Patrick Stump's mutton chops.
TBT Baby Urie
8. Getting Converse just so you can ruin them with your words of teen angst.
I honestly have no idea why I did this, I mean no one really has time to read your shoes. At least I wasn't writing on the bathroom walls.
9.The infamous fringe.
I'm really not sure why this was ever considered cool, you cant even see your face! But, maybe it added to the mystery. I could never cut mine into a true fringe, I just made one because I had to wear it up for gymnastics, but I lived for Hayley Williams' haircut.
10. Just like...a lot of rubber bracelets.
You stacked these on your arm and they all told a story about you to everyone you walked past, even though they cant read them. They are badges of loyalty to bands and fandoms!
None of this is to say that people who are proudly scene or are still in this stage of their lives are crazy or weird, in fact I kind of like what I went through because it made me who I am today. Deep down, I still wish I had my band tees and I listen to ADTR and SW/S when I'm feeling particularly nostalgic. However, I am glad I have found my identity that is a mix of adult with a dash of scene kid.
So, from my former scene kid, you know rawr and stuff and here's a hug (>' ')>.
