Chapter 3. Just His Best Friend

“I’m so proud of you, Savannah! Top 5!” Lola Josie, Trevor’s grandmother, applauded as she checked the medal hanging on Savannah’s neck.

Currently, Savannah, together with her grandparents, and Trevor with his Lola Josie, were in a fine-dining restaurant. They had all decided to eat out to celebrate Sav and Trevor’s graduation. Lolo Sally planned the dinner, and of course, Lolo Sandino was the one who financed it.

“‘La, why didn’t you congratulate me with the same energy you just gave Sav? My average is 90, and I’m also considered an honor student even if I’m not in the batch top 10!” Trevor acted like a sulking child. Savannah laughed and rolled her eyes at him.

“Why is your girlfriend not here with us to celebrate, Trevor?” Lola Sally asked out of the blue. “What’s her name again—Tinola… or Tilola?”

Savannah couldn’t help but laugh out loud at what she just heard from her grandmother. Lolo Sandino and Lola Josie also laughed, because tinola is a Filipino dish, and it was definitely not a name people use.

“It’s Winona, Lola…” Sav said, still laughing.

“Oh… right! Sorry, sorry, I forgot about it, Trevor…” Lola Sally shook her head and even touched Trevor’s hand. Trevor just nodded at her while glaring at Savannah, who clearly had no plans of stopping her laughter.

“But really… why isn’t she here?” Lola Sally asked more seriously. Sav finally stopped laughing and couldn’t help but roll her eyes at the thought of Winona.

“It’s their last day of classes, Lola Sally. It’s also their section’s closing party. That’s why she couldn’t come,” Trevor answered.

After that, the food they ordered finally arrived. As they ate, the conversation flowed genuinely and randomly. They talked about Trevor and Savannah’s futures and even about the recent happenings in Trevor’s parents’ business.

After eating, Trevor suddenly grabbed Savannah’s arm and pulled her out of the restaurant, taking her to the garden area where there were two swings placed side by side.

“Come on… we should walk fast so those two kids don’t get the swings first,” Trevor joked.

Since Trevor and Savannah made it to the swings first, the two kids had no choice but to return to their tables. As they walked away, Trevor and Savannah laughed quietly.

“By August, we’ll already be college students. Time flies really fast…” Savannah randomly said as soon as both of them stopped laughing.

“By August, we might be in different universities already…” Trevor sighed deeply after saying that. “I’m kind of nervous about it…”

Sav’s heartbeat instantly sped up after hearing that last part. What did he mean by that? Was he nervous because we’d be away from each other? Questions immediately popped into her mind.

“You’re nervous because you won’t have someone to run to anymore when you’re ‘girl-troubled’?” Savannah asked, trying to act like her heart wasn't about to explode. She even raised a brow at him.

Trevor suddenly shifted his seating position so that he could face her. After a few seconds, he grabbed both of Sav’s hands—and as he did, she immediately felt some kind of spark. It was like she was electrified by his touch. Her heartbeat quickened even more.

“Of course… that’s one of the reasons why I’m nervous. But the real question in my mind right now is: how can I study at a university without you, when you’re the only one who can put my mind at peace whenever I feel broken and lost?” Trevor said, his eyes focused on Sav’s gaze.

Even though Sav felt like her heart was going to explode, she still acted like nothing special was happening.

After a few seconds, she pulled her hands away from his and said, “Why are you suddenly being sweet, huh, Trev? Do you need something?” She raised a brow. “Did you do something that you know would make me mad at you?”

“I said those words because they’re true—not just because I’m being sweet or because I need something, okay?” Trevor shook his head and rolled his eyes.

Savannah laughed, and then after a moment, she said more seriously, “But seriously… you know you can call me anytime, even if we end up in different universities. I’ll still be your one-call-away best friend. But… you have to accept the fact that I won’t always be there every time you need me. Your dream university is too far from mine… plus, the road traffic!”

As she laughed, Trevor stared at her face. He even squinted slightly, as if examining her entire face. When Sav noticed what Trevor was doing, she furrowed her brows and asked, “What… what’s your problem with my face?!”

“Nothing…” Trevor shook his head. His eyes were still fixed on her. “I just realized that I have a beautiful best friend.” He paused briefly and then added, “If only you weren’t my best friend, I think I would’ve already courted you.”

Neither of them spoke for a few seconds. The only thing that could be heard was the sound was the rusty creaking of the swings they were sitting on.

But for Savannah, she was hearing two things—the rusty metal… and her fast, loud heartbeat. Her loud, fast heartbeat was deafening.

“Anyway…” Trevor broke the silence. “It’s right that you don’t let any man court you. Let them see that your standards are high and that you won’t date just any ordinary guy. You’re extraordinary, and you deserve someone better.”

It was clear Trevor meant all of this as her best friend… but Savannah’s heart wouldn’t stop pounding. On top of that, she felt warm all over—like all her blood had rushed to her cheeks.

Trevor continued, “Also… they need to be able to face me first. Your potential suitors need to pass my evaluation.”

He even raised both brows like he was proud of being her best friend.

Because of those last sentences, Savannah’s heart finally calmed down. She realized she was “best friend-zoned” again. For a second, she had thought Trevor was seeing her in a different light—not just as a friend, but as a possible lover. But obviously… she was wrong.

“Who are you to do that… are you my father?” Sav acted like she was disgusted by what Trevor just said. “Lolo Sandino told me that once I approve a man to become my suitor, he’ll approve too, because he trusts me! So why do you get your own evaluation system for my suitors?!”

“Lolo Sandino knows that our generation’s way of courting is different, and he knows he might not be the best judge—so he’s putting his trust in you. But me? I know our generation too well… so I’ll be the one to judge your future suitors and boyfriends.”

Savannah just sighed and rolled her eyes. “Whatever… you’re such a nuisance in my life,” she said jokingly, then laughed again.

“And you love me for that…” Trevor raised his brows and winked.

‘Oh yes, I do love you so much…’ Savannah sighed deeply—as she replied to Trevor in her mind.