The Popular Depression is a book I wrote in my first year of college.

It was inspired by a cigarette pack on a coffee table that I noticed at a house party.

My eyes were drawn to the Health Canada warning on the box of cigarettes.

I think the statistic about tobacco-related deaths was supposed to be the scary one. But, for some reason, I was more alarmed by the fact more people died by killing themselves than by getting into car accidents.

I never did anything with the book I wrote. Looking back, some of the amateurish writing makes me cringe. But, the concept behind The Popular Depression is an important theme for us to think about.

Here is the fifteenth chapter from The Popular Depression.

Chapter 15

Ethan hears the sound of a horn honking outside; he grabs his bag and heads toward the door.
“Bye mom, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Diane enters the room.
“Are you sure that Jared’s parents are OK with you and TJ spending the night?” Diane asks.
Ethan hesitates momentarily as he puts on his best poker face.
“Yeah, Jared checked it out, it’s fine… he’s waiting outside, though. So I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Bye Ethan,” Cindy says as she walks into the room. “Are you coming to church tomorrow?”
“We’ll probably be up pretty late watching movies so I doubt it, sorry Cindy.”
“That’s OK,” Cindy says, slightly disappointed.
Ethan walks out of the house. Jared’s sleek black Nissan Titan sits in the driveway. Ethan gets into the back seat and admires the interior, which is almost as striking as the exterior.
“Why aren’t you in your costume Tate?” Jared asks as he watches Ethan enter the vehicle.
Yesterday Jared phoned to let Ethan know that the three of them were going to go as NBA all-stars. Ethan would be Steve Nash, Jared would be Dirk Nowitzki and TJ would be Lebron James.
Ethan notices that Jared and TJ are already suited up in their costumes: shorts, jerseys, armbands and headbands.
“Settle down Winston, my stuffs in the bag.”
“So your mom was cool with you coming to the party, Tate?” TJ asks.
Ethan hesitates and debates whether or not to tell TJ the truth.
“Nah, I didn’t want any drama so I just told her I was crashing at Jared’s place. She thinks we’re renting movies and playing poker.”
“Right on, bro. Tonight is going to be out of control."
The Way I Are by Timbaland pumps out of the speakers.
TJ passes Ethan back a flask.
“Let’s get this party started,” TJ yells over the music.
Ethan takes the flask. While TJ is watching him, Ethan takes a swig. He recognizes the taste: Captain Morgan Spiced Rum. Though he used to drink the stuff often last year, he cringes at the taste that has now become somewhat unfamiliar and unpleasant.
“Oh Ethan my boy… you definitely need to get back in the party mode… you’ve lost your touch, brother,” TJ says after noticing Ethan struggling to down the alcohol.
“Please, Carp. By the end of the night you’ll be passed out and I’ll be chilling with all of the cheerleaders.”
“Alright boys, what do we need from the liquor store?” Jared asks as he parks his truck.
“What if they ID you?” Ethan asks.
“Then I’ll show them my ID, dumbass.” Jared replies as he pulls out a fake piece of identification that vaguely resembles him.
It claims he is 23.
“I truly hope they do ID me, Ethan. It’s their job, and quite frankly, I am sick of underage drinking.”
“I’m alright, Winston, I came prepared,” TJ says, pointing to his flask. By his feet is another full bottle of spiced rum.
Jared looks back at Ethan.
“Just get me a six-pack of Corona,” Ethan says, handing Jared a 20 dollar-bill.
“Are you sure, Tate? That’s a big order. You might want to go easy tonight and stick to a three-pack,” Jared says.
“Just get me the six-pack,” Ethan says shoving the 20 into Jared’s hand. “I’ll finish off whatever TJ hasn’t had by the time he’s passed out.”
“Hey,” TJ speaks up. “No drinking my booze.”
Jared closes the driver-side door and goes into the liquor store.
“So… do you miss her?” TJ asks while he and Ethan wait for Jared to return.
“What?” Ethan asks, thrown off by TJ’s question.
“Liberty… do you miss her?”
There is an extended pause. Ethan dwells on the question. He had tried not to think about her much lately.
“Yeah,” Ethan replies after a while. “But I screwed up pretty bad. She’s an awesome girl who has a heart that was never meant to be broken. She’s not really talking to me right now, which is what I deserve. I think what she needs is a better guy.”
“Wow, you really loved that girl didn’t you?” TJ asks.
Ethan doesn't say anything. He sees Jared walking toward the truck.
“Here Tate, put this in the back seat with you,” Jared says, handing him the alcohol.
“I thought I said six-pack,” Ethan says as he puts the 12-pack of Corona on the seat next to him.
“Yah about that,” Jared begins. “I wasn’t going to let you walk into that party holding a six-pack."
SexyBack by Justin Timberlake plays on the Titan's speakers.
Jared starts driving over to the party while TJ and Ethan vibe to the music.
“Where’s this shaker at anyway?” TJ asks.
“Skyler Johnson’s parents' mansion,” Jared replies.
TJ takes a drink from his flask.
About 10 minutes later, Jared parks his truck at a nearby park surrounded by a number of beautiful houses.
“Boys… we need to get our pre-drink on,” Jared replies. “Follow me… bring the alcohol.”
Ethan gathers all of the alcohol and follows Jared into the park. He also brings his bag containing his Steve Nash jersey so that he can change. The three walk to a swing-set in the middle of the park, while taking large drinks of their respective booze.
“Brrr… man it is freezing out here,” TJ complains, crossing his arms and rubbing his biceps.
“We’re not leaving this park until little man Tate has downed four beers,” Jared replies.
Ethan chugs his first beer. He tosses the bottle under the slide, which is connected to other playground equipment. He burps. He shivers. He grabs number two.
Meanwhile TJ and Jared take straight swigs of their hard alcohol. Ethan watches them do this and is baffled by how easily each of them is able to down the 40% liquor.
The wind begins to pick up.
Ethan tries to speed up. He takes four very large gulps and then tosses bottle number two in the same direction that number one went.
Both TJ and Jared are slightly impressed with the rate of speed in which Ethan polishes off number three and four; although, neither one of them mentions it. After consuming the correct number of beers, Ethan looks over to Jared for approval.
“Ethan my boy… you’re ready for good times,” Jared says. “Now let’s party.”
The boys stagger over to Skyler Johnson’s house. On the short walk, Ethan gets a good start on number five.
As the three approach the house, Ethan is amazed with how big Skyler's house is.
Jared walks up and opens the front door as if he lives in the estate.
The boys walk into the living room. Sean Paul’s, Temperature echoes through the house via surround sound home entertainment speakers. Ethan surveys the scene. Three black leather couches surround a 60” Plasma screen, and are occupied by various costumes: nurse, angel, fairy, Hawaiian hula dancer, lifeguard, and another nurse. The people on the couch seem out of it… Ethan suspects they got an early start on their drinking. Ethan then notices one of the nurses sniff a line of cocaine off of the glass coffee table. His earlier suspicions are denied; the living room crowd are the druggies, not the drunks. Ethan tries to see down the hallway in hopes of determining where everyone else is.
Before he can leave the spot he is in, Skyler Johnson, dressed as Hugh Hefner, walks down and greets Jared with a handshake/hug. He walks over to Ethan.
“Tate buddy, glad you could make it out,” the Hefner outfit says to Ethan as he tries to force the same handshake/hug.
“Hey man, how’s it going? Great party.” Ethan replies, unsure if he's ever actually spoken to Skyler before.
Skyler smiles as if Ethan's words meant a lot.
“Well thanks man,” he says patting Ethan on the back.
“Tate, let’s go put your beers in the fridge,” Jared insists as he pulls him toward the kitchen.
Ethan finishes the remaining sip of number five, sets his bottle on a table, then he and TJ follow behind Jared as the boys make their way down the hallway and into the kitchen.
The kitchen region is very spacious. Most of the appliances are black, and the fridge has a TV screen on the front of it. There are two sinks… a small one for fresh quality drinking water and a larger one for dishes. In the middle of the kitchen floor sits an island. The island is black and has drawers on each side of it. Just outside of the kitchen, a few steps down, is a level with a large kitchen table. The table is circular. It has a glass top with a solid black cylindrical base. Eight black chairs, evenly distributed, surround the table… most of which are occupied with girls from the volleyball team. A few steps down from that (and slightly around the corner) sits another level that is bigger than both the kitchen level and the table level combined. This large level consists of: a pool table, a poker table, a ping-pong table, a jukebox, a huge pull-down screen (which accommodates a projection TV), various speakers and four beige leather couches that are scattered strategically.
Ethan also notices a large fish tank in the corner of the room.
People flood this area of the house and Ethan is convinced that there must be at least 70 individuals in total. He wonders if all of them were on the guest list.
Ethan pulls out number six and sets down his 12-pack on the island. Jared takes the 12-pack of Corona off of the island and puts it in the fridge, then puts his arm around Ethan and says, “Follow me, son. I’ve got to introduce you to a few ladies.”
Ethan, who by now is definitely buzzed, follows Jared through the kitchen while trying to look as cool as possible. Ethan hears a lot of comments including: “Hot costume, babe,” and “someone’s bringing sexy back,” but he doesn’t know if it’s directed at him. TJ disperses as he goes and talks with a couple of volleyball girls who are sitting at the circular kitchen table.
Jared keeps walking down onto the third level and approaches a group of girls, spread out among three couches.
Ethan watches Jared walk up to the girls and admires how smooth his teammate is. He also can’t help but notice all of the other people at the party (some who he recognizes from school; some who he has never seen in his life) stare at Jared, TJ and himself with adoration. Ethan feels all eyes on him. He takes a big swig of his beer. He glances at the fish-tank. He flexes his exposed biceps.
“Hey girls,” Jared says. I’d like to introduce you to my go-to-guy on the court. Lucky for you ladies, recent circumstances have led this young-man to single status.”
“Girls this is Ethan, but you probably already knew that.”
Ethan gives a wave when his name is announced. He tries to make his wave as cool as possible. He gets a couple of winks and even a subtle lip-biting reaction from one girl.
“Ethan… this is: Ashlee, Taya, Sherri, Brittany, Zoey, Isabella, Taylor, Lauren and Rachel,” Jared say,s pointing to each one, not missing a beat.
The only name that Ethan comprehends is Rachel. In Ethan’s opinion, she is definitely the most attractive. As luck would have it, out of all the girls, she is the one who gives him the longest eye contact.
Ethan continues to look at Rachel; she stares right back at him.
Conveniently, one of the girls (Sherri? Ashlee? Zoey?) gets up and a spot next to Rachel becomes available. Ethan does not hesitate to mark his territory.
“I really like your costume,” Ethan says to Rachel.
Rachel is dressed as the devil.
All of the girls are wearing themed costumes, but most of their outfits are an excuse to dress as slutty as possible. Rachel sips a Bacardi Breezer.
“Thanks,” Rachel says in a flirty voice. “I always cheer for Steve Nash to score.”
Ethan is too drunk to understand the not-so-subliminal message.
Ethan feels Rachel’s hand softly rub his left arm. Her hand clenches slightly around his bicep, almost inspecting. Her hand finds its way down his arm and she begins to hold the hand of Ethan.
Ethan doesn’t foresee where this is going. All that he knows is that he is sitting with the most gorgeous girl in the room, and every guy is jealous.
Ethan looks around and notices Jared is talking to the cheerleaders. Ethan then sees Jared exit the room. He wonders where Jared went for a moment, but then decides it doesn’t matter. He begins to eavesdrop on some of the cheerleaders' conversation.
“That Jared is so nice; he’s pretty cute too,” one says.
“Yeah, I wonder what it would be like to fuck him,” another comments, giggling.
“He was pretty good,” a different girl says, admitting. “Except the next morning he just left a note… and that was the last I heard from him.”
A cool breeze enters through the window and Ethan’s bare arms get goose-bumps.
“Do you want to find somewhere a little more quiet?” Rachel asks… regaining Ethan’s attention… interlocking her fingers with his. “You look kind of distracted.”
“Of course,” Ethan replies trying not to sound too excited, keeping the cool factor, concentrating so that he doesn’t stutter his words.
Rachel and Ethan first stop at the television fridge so that Ethan can grab seven and eight, then they wander upstairs. Rachel leads Ethan into the fourth door on the right. A large bed is the focus of the room. Across from it sits a dresser with a medium-sized TV. Ethan wonders how many TVs are in the entire house.
Ethan sets his two beers on the dresser and then sits on the bed. He considers turning on the TV, but that idea quickly changes when Rachel enters his line of vision. He watches her closely as she gets out of her skimpy costume. Underneath the devil is a black-laced bra and panties. Rachel moves toward Ethan slowly.
“I’ve wanted this so bad for such a long time,” Rachel says seductively and she stands over Ethan. “I always wondered when you were going to break-up with Liberty and realize what was out there for you. I am going to rock your world.”
Ethan sits on the bed, shaking. The alcohol has not inhibited his horniness level at all; however, somewhere in his head, something doesn’t seem right.
“Just wait a second Rachel,” Ethan says, slightly slurring. “I don’t even know anything about you. You’re hot, and I want you so bad, but can I at least find out a little bit about you first?”
Rachel continues to move towards Ethan. She kneels down to his level and kisses him expertly on the mouth. Her mouth slowly makes its way down and begins kissing his neck. Shivers surge through Ethan’s body.
“Wh-what’s your last name?” Ethan spits out.
“Turner,” Rachel says, briefly pausing from kissing Ethan’s neck.
“So you’re a cheerleader?” Ethan says, stuttering once again.
Rachel makes her way back up his neck and continues kissing him the mouth. She softly bites his lip then pulls away slightly.
“I am captain of the cheer-leading squad,” she boasts.
“Wow,” Ethan says, impressed.
“I play basketball,” Ethan says, but then realizes she already knows.
Rachel slowly lifts Ethan’s Steve Nash jersey over his head and off of his body. He flexes his abs exposing the six-pack. Rachel looks turned-on.
“I know all about you Ethan Tate,” Rachel assures. “And I’m pretty sure you’ll never forget my name by the time I’m through with you.”
Ethan’s level of horny enters a new high.
Ethan starts to instigate the kissing as he backs himself up comfortably onto the bed. Rachel moves over him.
Mild slow kissing speeds up and Ethan and Rachel's clothes are thrown on the floor.
The physical sensations are climactic; however, Ethan’s guilt eats away at him.
At one point, Ethan utters, “I love you,” a comment he instantly regrets. To make matters worse, Rachel responds with, “Fuck me harder.”
Afterward, the two lie together in the bed, nude. Rachel has fallen asleep. Ethan wonders why his arm is around her. He wonders why he is trying to force that one last bit of emotional connection, when there was clearly none to start with. He feels used. Worse than that, he knows he used her as well. He wonders what is happening to him, and then wonders whether or not he should be concerned.
Staring at the ceiling, Ethan wonders why so many people envy him.
If they only knew the way he felt.
Empty.

Previous Chapters:

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14