Token Black was voted nicest guy of his class his senior year of high school. If his friends wanted their parents approval to go out of town for a weekend or go to a party down the street, all they needed to say was Token Black will be there. He's even been turned down numerous times because girls say he's "too nice of a guy" for them.
Basically, Token is known for being a "nice guy".
Although as Token thinks about this while he's waiting for four frozen waffles to spring out of his CookMaster toaster, he thinks he can present much stronger evidence of being a nice guy. Not just generic examples like he always holds open the door for people walking into places behind him or helping old ladies across the street, although he does both of those on a daily basis while walking to campus.
He once carried Clyde Donnovan all the way from Craig Tucker's house on Stout to Kevin Stoley's house on Ridge. That's at least seven blocks. Not once did he even drop the wailing teenager. Craig's parent's came home and were slightly upset that Craig had the guys over for a night. They were livid to find Clyde mid-swig, lips around their Johnny Walker they liked to sip on after what they deemed a "long work week". Luckily for Token, he had excused himself to the restroom upstairs when he heard car doors close outside. Tweek Tweak's freak out was just enough of a distraction for Token to slip outside with the Tucker's fire escape ladder rolled up in Ruby's closet and follow the sounds of Clyde's sobs.
He also remembers talking the campus police out of arresting Craig and Clyde one night after a small scuffle with some Alpha Eta Theta boys. Sure, the three guys were asking for it; walking very closely behind Craig and Clyde who had just had a bonding moment over both of them preferring Peanut Butter Crunch over Reese's Puffs. The two boys had their arms around each other talking about their love for each other being much greater than any peanut butter flavored cereal when the frat boys cracked some jokes about their said love. Token, while walking with the group had felt the tension the three boys created. Once he heard Clyde's sniffles and could no longer feel the two boys' body warmth to the right of his Token decided to keep walking as he counted to ten Mississippi to himself, then casually duck around the corner of the street tie his shoes. He told the police honestly he had heard the scuffle and the events leading up to the scuffle, but had no involvement. He explained he was more worried about getting his friends home safely after a nice night out with a few drinks. When the campus police questioned Token's involvement, saying that the two boys cuffed in the back of their campus car did not quite match that of a victim in a scuffle, Token explained calmly that he and his friends frequented the gym often due to one of the two young men in their back seat majoring in psychology and had impressed on his friends the importance of exercise for both a healthy physical and mental body. He also added he doesn't appreciate he or his friends being profiled when they have done nothing but abide by the American Law. When questioned about his knowledge of the American Law, Token once again calmly told the campus police that the other boy in the back seat of their car is majoring in Law and has also made an impression on his friends of the importance of knowing their constitutional rights.
When the campus police had finally released the boys and made a remark about college students thinking they know more about the real world than real adults, Token asked both men their names and thanked them for making an impression on him that night. While the campus police sneered at this comment, Token also mentioned that he is majoring in economics, and that he can only imagine what economic hardships and stress the two are going through, especially with the current state of the university and their job cuts. He told them both he would most certainly keep them up to date on any job openings with similar skills and qualifications only a campus policeman possesses.
That night Token remembers thinking about the memories that night made to three different groups of people. Firstly, memories of the physical pain the three frat boys felt. Secondly, memories of embarrassment the two campus police clearly felt. Lastly, the memories of a great story of friendship Token and his two best friends had that night.
After Token finishes pouring the last glass of juice on the table Token pauses before sending the breakfast text to his roommates group chat which includes his two best friends involved in forming those great memories last October.
He sees a text from Sheena, the girl in his International Econ class. She hopes he's free some time today to grab a coffee and maybe talk about their class work. She thinks he seems like a really nice guy and would love the opportunity to get to know him.
He fingers the small folded note from his front pocket and thinks how nice it is to have a great friend like Tweek that takes the time to make even the smallest details neat. The number 3 labeled on the outside of his note has the perfect straight line on the top followed by the right amount of curve and thickness on the two humps on the right. He thinks Tweek could be a calligrapher. That sounds nice.
While Token thinks of it a nice gesture for a formal introduction and expression of gratitude, given the nice opportunity he has just presented with, he's on a need to know basis.
"Unfortunately, today is the day I clean the bathrooms."
And that's all he needs to know.
He sends the group text and waits to hear Clyde's door open and close. Token waits until he sees Clyde sit down and fork two waffles at once.
"Ah, hey man, good morning." Token just so happens to be so lost in thought he didn't hear Clyde sit down, kind of.
"What's up, Mr. Black. You look unwell." Clyde says while he slathers butter on one waffle, making sure there is an even spread between the small divots of the waffle.
"Yeah, you know," Token runs a hand over his close-cut hair, nicely combed this morning, "I just got word of some extra credit assignment in my International Econ class, I could really use the points.." Token trails off, hoping to sound like a nice guy in a desperate situation.
Clyde takes turn watching his butter melt and watching Token in what he can imagine is a freak out in Token world. It literally pains Clyde to see his best friend in such an upset mood it almost ruins his appetite.
Token interrupts Clyde's thoughts, "by the way, I saved you a mini parfait cup, it was the only one left, but I know how much you love them, plus it's a healthy snack for that mind of yours."
Taking the parfait cup, he watches Token put on his best smile given the stressful circumstances of being Tweek for one day that happens to be the day extra credit is given for a class Token clearly feels unsure in. Clyde knows what he can do to help him out.
"Hey, you want to switch me days? I'll take your day today and you can take mine tomorrow. That way, you can get your extra credit!" Clyde feels his heart swell as Token's smile goes into full bloom.
"Really? That so nice of you."
"What are friends for my friend?"
As if on cue, Craig joins the table and chooses his waffle and takes the liberty of smashing his waffle onto the buttered waffle sitting on Clyde's plate.
Kevin walks in and makes his waffle selection and immediately kills half of his juice, almost in one gulp.
At the end of breakfast Clyde stays and helps Token dry the plates and silverware from the meal. Once all hands are dry the two switch notes.
"Have you looked at what you're supposed to do today?"
"No, I was just about to after breakfast."
"Well, I don't want to ruin the surprise, but prepare to wash clothes tomorrow!"
Token gives Clyde a nice smile and while walking out he taps the note in Clyde's hand with calligrapher Tweek's perfect 3 scribed on it.
"Thanks again, Clyde. You're a really nice guy."
Thinking, now, Token thinks he should claim himself a smart guy, rather than a nice guy.
A/N: I made up the street names Craig and Kevin lived on.