Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America

Shawn and his two friends, Amir and DeMarcus, are in Footlocker waiting for Amir to close the store down. They are going to a party thrown by the mall where all three work.

The party is for the opening of Mall-Stars, an arcade with a bar and restaurant. Also at the party is Dayshia, a girl who Shawn likes but who has never acknowledged him. Amir and DeMarcus try to get Shawn to talk to her, but he doesn’t, instead thinking about how nerdy it was to wear a Chewbacca shirt to the party.

When the boys move to a booth, Amir continues to harass Shawn about talking to Dayshia. However, he is adamant that they are too different, and he is too nerdy for her. In response, Amir gets up and goes to get Dayshia, bringing her back to their booth.

Another boy, who Shawn refers to as Cologne Kiosk Cameron, joins them in the booth. Shawn notes that he is a “pretty boy,” well dressed and Dayshia seems interested in him. However, as he talks, he drones on about the cologne kiosk, boring everyone in the booth. Dayshia makes an excuse to leave, and Shawn works up the courage to follow her out a few minutes later.