The story begins with a flashback in which the narrator, Jacorey “JJ” Harding remembers a time in sixth grade when his friends bullied his classmate, Tremaine. Although JJ stood by when his friends locked Tremaine in the custodian’s closet, he was the one who eventually let him out. It was then that JJ discovered that Tremaine suffered from claustrophobia.

Six years later, JJ is sitting on the subway when the lights go out abruptly. The only thing he can see are a pair of bright white Air Jordans, which he immediately recognizes as belonging to Tremaine. The conductor informs the passengers that the train is undergoing technical difficulties. JJ watches as Tremaine grows visibly uncomfortable after realizing he is stuck on a crowded train, and his breathing gets heavier and heavier.

With plans to meet a girl, Tasha, at his friend’s party in Brooklyn and later check in on his grandad in Harlem, JJ curses the blackout. Watching Tremaine, JJ assumes that his classmate was headed to the same party to take photos for the DJ, who is his older sister’s ex-boyfriend and for whom he always snaps professional photos at gigs.