A.R.R., 22, San Francisco/Union City, CA

I am very cautious as I write this piece. It awakens many memories that were once dormant. But I will begin my story by saying that my experience in the downe scene was a roller-coaster ride. I remembered that it was in the year 2003 when I was first introduced to the downe scene.

I was simply minding my own business on Xanga.com (when it was popular) and venting about the day's event. Within a few minutes of creating my first xanga blog I was bombarded with messages from lovesick girls and boys who called themselves downe. I was confused at first. I didn't know what downe was. It soon became clear to me when these boys were asking for my phone number and filling my blogs with various compliments about my physical appearance. As time passed, my curiosity grew. These boys that seem to just compliment me then became regular friends, then maybe boyfriends (soon ex-boyfriends). I gained popularity in the downe scene overnight. I became associated with all the well-known downe boys in the scene.

All seem well, but I soon notice the consequences to popularity. I got so absorbed into the scene that I dated just about 26 guys in a period of 8 months. I became ONE OF THEM; the downe populars. I dated all the cute well-known downe scene guys and their exes as well. Everything became a VERY small world. So small that at every downe party, whether it was in the bay area or southern california, when somebody mentions my name or my face the topics and chitchatting brewed about the recent rumors about me. When I would attend a party with a friend, someone would whisper derogatory things about me. Calling me various names. The drama went so out of hand that RIDICULOUS rumors about me formed. ONES that didn't even make sense!

It got very tiresome. And with the consequences I came to see the sides of these downe populars. The shallow side. If you aren't cute then you're not in. If you're cute, you're in but watch out because loyalty within the scene is not very strong. Competition within the scene is very prominent amongst its peers.

My experiences were not all bad, however. I made lifelong friends and enemies just the same.