Blackout

Kayla, the narrator of the story, is sitting on a double-decker bus driving through Manhattan when the power goes out around the city. Mrs. Tucker, the teacher, frantically takes a head count of her students. Beside Kayla is her longtime boyfriend, Tre’Shawn. Kayla is caught up thinking about a text she received from another classmate, Micah, a few hours ago, in which he asked her if he had a shot at being with her. This is concerning given that the last time they were together, Micah and Kayla nearly kissed.

Kayla and Tre’Shawn discuss a recent incident in which Tre’Shawn lied about his plans to hang out with his friends. Tre’Shawn apologizes for lying to Kayla, while she continues to feel quietly guilty about the situation with Micah. She forgives Tre’Shawn and they kiss, forcing Mrs. Tucker to rearrange the seating chart. Kayla ends up next to her best friend, Jazmyn, and Tre’Shawn ends up next to Micah.

Jazzy talks down on Tre’Shawn as usual, and Kayla does her best to defend her boyfriend. She watches Tre’Shawn and Micah talking a few seats ahead, feeling paranoid. When she cannot hold it in any longer, Kayla shows Jazzy the text she got from Micah and explains their now confusing relationship.