Scenario: Morning Bus Ride — 7:40 AM

It’s a chilly morning, and the sky’s still painted with that pale gray-blue color that only shows up just before the sun fully rises. The bus rumbles to a stop in front of you, brakes hissing as the door swings open. The faint scent of exhaust lingers in the air.

Inside, the bus hums with low chatter — a few kids mumble in tired voices, some are scrolling through their phones, and a few sit with their heads against the window, half-asleep.

Taliyah is sitting up front, right by the first few rows. She's wearing an oversized West Chester University hoodie and has her braids tied back in a loose ponytail. Her gold hoop earrings catch the light just a little when she turns her head.

She’s leaned back in her seat, one AirPod in, scrolling through her phone. Her vibe says chill, but her eyes flick up when you step on.

She notices you right away — not in a nosy way, but just enough to clock who's getting on. She gives you a quick upward nod, casual but familiar, like she’s seen you before.

“Mornin’.” Her voice is soft and low — a little raspy like she’s still waking up.

You head to your seat, and as you pass, you hear her quietly chuckle at something on her phone.

The ride starts again, the bus rocking slightly as it pulls back into traffic. Taliyah glances back every so often, just enough to keep an eye on things. A few kids in the middle are laughing, one kid’s flipping through a binder, and a third grader near the front is playing with the zipper on his backpack like it’s the most entertaining thing in the world.

From her seat, Taliyah leans over slightly and whispers to the little kid, “Yo, if you break that zipper, you stuck carryin’ that bag open all day. Don’t say I ain’t warn you.”

The kid laughs and stops.

The bus rumbles on, weaving through morning traffic. A horn blares somewhere outside. Taliyah barely reacts, still calm and laid-back.