Lauren Alaina Feels the Love From Carrie Underwood

'American Idol' runner-up Lauren Alaina just landed a major-label deal with Mercury Records, and scored more than 124,000 downloads with her debut single, 'Like My Mother Does,' in its first week of release. But perhaps her most memorable moment recently came in the form of a gift from former 'Idol' winner -- and country music superstar -- Carrie Underwood.

"She got me this necklace from Tiffany's that says my name on it and then 'Love C.U.' on the back," Lauren reveals (quote via Lancaster, Pa. radio station WIOV.) "I want to get her some dog clothes [in return]."

Lauren and Carrie performed during the 'AI' finale, where the latter gave the 16-year-old her cell phone number, in case she needs any help or support during her time in Nashville. But it was another guest on the show from whom Lauren says she learned the most -- pop star and actress Miley Cyrus. "She is young and relatable," explains the Georgia native. "She started out on a TV show and she was my age, and she said that she had been through a lot of the same things, like the insecurities that I was having."

The budding young star, who learned via Twitter that first-season winner Kelly Clarkson was pulling for her, shocked millions of viewers when she famously kissed this year's champ, Scotty McCreery, during the final episode. But in spite of rumors of a budding romance, the precocious teen says there is someone else she is quietly pursuing.

"Actually, I like somebody right now, but I can't really have a boyfriend. It's like, impossible," she acknowledges. "[Scotty and I are] both young and we went through this journey together ... But we were so busy learning stuff about ourselves, we weren't really having time to do any of that kinda stuff!"

Romance or not, the two young stars will be spending plenty of time together in the next few months. They head to Nashville next week, where they'll both participate in the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge, as well as make an appearance during CMA Music Fest. Lauren is also hard at work on her debut album, which she hopes to release later this year.