"WHAT!?" the other girls asked in surprise.

My mind drew a blank. Lance then walked over to me and sported a toothy grin.

He's so much taller than I am; I feel so small compared to him...

"Sharena Beyevell, I've chosen you," he said.

"M-Me? But why?" I asked.

"I chose you not because of your looks, but because of your humbleness, your brains, your independence as a young woman, and because of your heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)" he said.

When I stared into his eyes, I recognized who he was.

He's the one that stood up for me at Echo Park.

"Well, if you're really choosing me, will you take me for who I am? A novice guitarist still trying to find her place in the world?" I asked.

"Of course, I will, but only if you will take me for who I am. The son of the Mayor of LA. I don't want someone who's just going to use me for my money." Lance said.

"I would never use anyone for what they have. I don't want the son of the Mayor of LA anyway, I want Lance Auburne, the young man who stood up for me at Echo Park."

Lance smiled and wrapped his arms around me. Feeling the warmth of his embrace, I smiled and leaned into his hug. When we parted, the audience cheered.

"Well, there you have it folks! Lance's new girlfriend, Sharena Beyevell!" Kevin announced.

Lance wrapped his arms around my waist and placed his head on top of mine. Placing my hands over his, we turned to the flashing cameras.

Still, somehow, I feel like I'm not supposed be his girlfriend. I mean, what if his father, the mayor, doesn't like me?

Forcing a smile, I leaned back into Lance's broad chest. When the photographers were done taking pictures, I headed backstage and placed my guitar in its case.

"Hey!" shouted a voice behind me.

I turned around and saw Willow and Kylie.

"Um, can I help you?" I asked.

"What makes you think that you could come up in here and take Lance?" Willow asked.

"Yeah, did you pay him to choose you?" Kylie asked.

"What? No." I said.

Kylie and Willow both scoffed.

"Yeah right. You better breakup with him because he is mine!" Kylie said.

"And why would she do that?" asked a voice behind them.

Leaning on the archway frame was none other than Lance Auburne himself.

"A perfect example of why I didn't choose either of you." he said coldly.

He pushed past the girls and wrapped his hand around my waist.

"If I'm being perfectly honest, I was going to choose Sharena from the beginning." he said.

He's standing up for me again...

A small smile spread across my lips. Willow and Kylie stared at Lance in bewilderment.

"Come along, my dear. I'll take you home." he said.

Pulling me closer into him, we made our way out of the studio and into the parking lot.

"Sharena!" two voices cried.

Turning around, I saw Cassie and Mina run up to us.

"Congratulations, little cousin." Mina said.

"We knew you could do it." Cassie said.

"Thanks." I said.

Looking up at Lance, his eyes were a little dark and cold.

"Lance, these are my cousins, Cassie and Mina." I said.

Almost immediately, his eyes became soft and gentle.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both." he said.

"Likewise." Mina said.

"Did you hear anything from Arlo?" I asked.

"Yeah, he just texted me. He sends his congratulations." Cassie said, looking down at her phone.

I smiled and nodded. I looked up at Lance and leaned my head on his arm.

"Well, you know the way back to your house. My chauffer will follow you." Lance said.

"Alright." Mina said.

Going our separate ways, Lance led me to his black limo. His chauffer opened the door, and Lance helped me inside.

I feel so bad for saying all those nasty things about Lance. He's a really sweet person...

Lance then got into the limo and sat next to me.

"Just follow the silver car." Lance told the chauffer.

The chauffer nodded and began following Mina's car.

"So, first time in a limo?" Lance asked.

"No..." I said nervously.

"Really? When was your first time?"

I averted his gaze and breathed out a shaky sigh.

"I'd rather not say, it's... personal..." I said, quickly wiping away the tears that were forming.

I turned my back to Lance and leaned my head against the window, watching other cars drive by.

I know we're a couple now, but there are some things you don't have to share with your significant other...

~Lance's POV~

I stared at Sharena with concerned eyes.

If she doesn't want to talk about it, I won't pry nor force her...

Letting out a sigh, I glanced at Sharena.

"Hey, I know it's sudden to ask this, but... would you like to come over to my house tomorrow? From there, we'll go to the Town Hall and meet my father." I said.

I saw Sharena's eyes shift to me and she let out a sigh.

"Sure, I guess..." she said.

My heart ached to see her like this.

"I mean, whatever time works best for you. I don't want to force you to do something you're not comfortable with." I said.

This time, she sat up and turned her head to look at me.

"I would love to meet your father, it's just that... what if he doesn't like me...?" she asked.

I smiled softly at her and placed a hand on her head.

"Trust me, he'll love you, but not as much as me." I said.

Sharena looked up at me with innocent eyes and smiled.

"Then, I would love to meet your father," she said.

"Great. Tomorrow at 12?" I asked.

"Tomorrow at 12."

She held out her hand and I gladly shook it. When I felt the limo stop, the chauffer got out and opened the door. I got out first and then helped Sharena.

"Thank you for driving me home," she said.

"Anytime. My chauffer will pick you up at 12, alright?" I asked.

"Alright."

She then walked up to me and placed a kiss on my cheek.

"A little thank you gift for standing up for me, again." Sharena said.

I stared at her and felt my cheeks get hot. Patting her head, she turned on her heel and walked up to her porch with her cousins by her side.

"Goodnight, Lance!" she said.

"Goodnight!" I said, waving goodbye.

When I saw her close her door, I leaned against the limo and sighed.

"Everything alright, sir?" the chauffer asked.

"I'm great..." I said with a smile.

~Sharena's POV~

Sighing deeply, I went into my room and flopped on my bed.

Why did it have to be me...?

Then, Arlo came into the room with a wide grin on his face.

"Sharena, I heard the news! You're Lance's... girlfriend..." he said, cutting his sentence short when he saw my expression.

"Yup..." I said.

Arlo walked over and sat on my bed.

"Come on, you have to be at least a little excited," he said.

"No one even asked if I wanted to be his girlfriend," I said, almost shouting.

"You had the choice if you wanted to go on that game show or not, you know."

"No, I didn't..."

Arlo gave a confused look, but remained silent, allowing me to explain what I meant.

"A couple days ago before all this happened, I got a letter from Mayor Auburne himself. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I didn't want to go to the game show, but I knew I needed to go..." I confessed.

"You always did have a mind of your own. I always loved that about you." Arlo said.

I know he's just trying to cheer me up, but it's going to take a lot more than that to turn this frown upside down...

I looked at my cousin for a second and then turned on my side, letting my back face him.

"Aw, don't worry, Sharena. There must be a reason. But hey, tomorrow you'll be meeting the Town Hall. That'll be fun." Arlo said.

Letting out a deep sigh, I put a pillow over my head and closed my eyes.

"Get some rest, Sharena..." Arlo said sweetly.

Patting my leg, he got up and made his way to the door.

"Arlo! The mayor. What's he like?" I asked, sitting up and turning to the door.

"Oh, he's sharp, real sharp, but he's a real nice guy once you get to know him." he said before closing the door behind him.

I let out an exasperated sigh, flopping into my pillows.

I should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow...