Kate sat in front of her tent, slowly eating the last of her dinner. The whole group was still waiting for the rescue to come. It was sad, really, seeing as the call had gone out three days ago. People weren't giving up, and false hope surrounded the camp.
Kate knew better. They were never getting rescued. She was going to live the rest of her life on this damn island. Even worse, she would have to watch them. For instance, right now Juliet was smacking Jack playfully across the arm, laughing at something he had just said. She felt the instinctive pull to go towards Sawyer, but she remained still. She was done lying to him.
She could tell that Juliet sensed her watching them, even if Jack didn't. What she didn't expect was Juliet turning to say goodbye to Jack, and then walking over to sit with her.
They sat in silence for over five minutes, before Juliet spoke up. "He loves you", she said quietly, staring at her hands.
Kate was taken aback by Juliet's words. She shook her head. "No. He doesn't."
Juliet ignored her. "He tries not to talk about you. If he catches himself doing it, he stops midsentence."
"He hates me. He doesn't want to talk about me because he can't stand to even think about me".
"I wish that was true," Juliet admitted. "Then maybe he wouldn't be so sad all the time. Look at him."
Kate lifted her gaze to where Jack was talking to Sayid. At first glance he seemed fine. It was as if Juliet sensed her thoughts. "Look closer."
On closer inspection, Kate almost gasped. His eyes were red, and he looked exhausted. He also seemed to have lost some weight, and his shirt was hanging loosely on him.
"He's just stressed", Kate whispered. "The people in the boat haven't come yet, and he's worried." She couldn't allow herself to think that she had caused him to come to this.
Juliet laughed. "You'll never get it through your head, will you? He loves you. He could tell you a million times, and you'd still deny it." She stood up, brushing the sand off her pants.
"Juliet," Kate stopped her. "I think I love him too", she admitted. It felt good to say it out loud, even if it wasn't to Jack. She didn't know why she was telling Juliet something so personal. Then again, Juliet knew Jack almost as well, if not better, than Kate herself.
Juliet looked down the beach, then back at Kate. "I know. So why don't you tell him?"
Kate lifted her gaze to meet Juliet's. "Have you ever been in love?"
Hesitating at first, Juliet nodded glumly.
"How did that turn out for you?" Kate asked.
Juliet sighed. "Not so great."
"Then you know why I can't tell him", Kate said dejectedly.
"Yeah, I do," Juliet told her. "You're scared." She turned around and began walking away. Before she got too far, she turned back, "You want to be even more scared? Think about what could happen if you don't tell him."
Although she didn't want to, Kate had to admit she was right. Ten minutes ago, she would have laughed at the idea of Juliet having a civil conversation wit her, least of all about Jack. But maybe she just wanted what was best for him. Kate had to admit he was a mess. Glancing over at Jack, she knew what she had to do.
I'm probably leaving this at a oneshot, unless I get a good amount of reviews.Then maybe I'll write a second part.