I'll Protect You (Re-Edit #2, 2016)

A caroling group called Mismatched Hats and Stylish Sunglasses

Park

Well, that was quite the unexpected surprise. 

Selena Marion was marching off stage, barking orders at the crew, but due to the noise emitting from the crowd, I had no clue what she was saying. I stared wide-eyed at the audience, watching as some got to their feet and others shouted about the twist of events. 

They called out if this was a scam, if this was for money. Was Vincent cheating on me with someone else? Was this all a publicity stunt? 

Selena Marion hurried back on stage and stopped before us, grinning from ear to ear as she told us that we would be on air in a minute. She gestured for us to sit before doing so herself, crossing her legs and flashing a picture perfect smile at the crowd. 

Vincent glanced at me, his eyes conveying his panic, seeming to look for reassurance. For a second, I tried to think of a way to salvage this mess. But all I could think about was Logan's smile before he told me not to trip and his blazer on my shoulders and how his cologne stuck to the material. 

What's done is done, I thought, grinning confidently at Vincent. I don't want to save this. I want to be happy. 

Vincent smiled back and then the two of us sat back down, now a few inches apart since we no longer had to play the part of a perfect couple. 

The cameras began rolling and Selena hushed the crowd with a smooth wave of her hand before she faced us. "What do you mean it's a lie? Are you saying this whole relationship is fake? Or have you changed your mind about the princess next to you, Vincent?"

"We got together because everyone thought we should," Vincent lied. "But we rarely saw each other, and lately I've been realizing that we're two completely different people. It was working out at first, but we've changed now and I think it's unfair for us to stay together. We were being pushed to stay in the relationship by our friends and family, but I can't take it anymore."

"Why on television?" Selena leaned forward. "Why would you broadcast your relationship for the whole world to see, if you knew--"

"We tried to make it work when I came back to Cimeria," I interrupted. "We really did, and it's not our fault that the paparazzi couldn't find a way to leave us alone. Vincent's not alone in this--I had felt the break in our connection, Selena, but I didn't know he felt the same. I didn't want to break his heart. So we sat through interviews because we wanted everything to work out, but..." 

"You told me to admit how deep our relationship was, Selena," Vincent said, smiling apologetically at me, "but I couldn't do it. Our relationship isn't deep. It's empty. I couldn't lie to Park anymore and I talked it out last night. We both agreed that this interview would be the perfect way to let the world know how we really felt."

Selena leaned back, blinking in rapid surprise as she watched the two of us deliver the prime example of miscommunication in a relationship. "You both didn't like each other, but you stayed because you thought the other did?"

Vincent turned to me again. "I should've spoken about this with you earlier. My parents want me to settle down early, and you're an amazing girl, Park, but I can't. I can't love a girl I can't see myself with in the future."

"We're not meant for each other," I agreed.

"No," he agreed, his smile growing a little brighter, "we're not."

The crowd began roaring again as I stood up and embraced Vincent. Selena Marion was stunned, having most likely expected a whole different confession, not a mutual agreement to "break up." She dashed off the stage as Vincent and I let go, beaming at one another.