JSFiddle - React, Tailwind, and code Playground

HTML

<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jqueryui/1.8/themes/dot-luv/jquery-ui.css">
<p>
    <span>1</span>
    <span>2</span>
    <span class="sel">3</span>
    <span>4</span>
    <span>5</span>
    <button>click</button>
</p>

CSS

span { padding :8px;}
.sel { border :orange solid 4px;}

JavaScript

jQuery(function($){
  $("button").click(function(){
    $(".sel").removeClass("sel").prev().addClass("sel") 
  });
});