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CHAPTER 3
It had been three weeks since being invited to Michael's wedding and Sawyer still wasn't sure if he wanted to go, even though he had told Michael he'd stop by at the reception. He would have forgotten all about it if it wasn't for that conspicuous pastel yellow and frilly invitation on his dresser. It all seemed too high school reunion for him, having to hear about and see who got fat, married, divorced, whatever. Even though he had spent a month with these people, it was easy for Sawyer to keep his distance if he wanted to avoid someone. It also helped that no one particularly wanted to talk to him in the first place. There was only one thing that kept him from completely dismissing the idea of going, and that frustrated Sawyer to no end. If anything, seeing Michael again intensified his thoughts of her. Michael didn't mention if Kate would be there, but he didn't mention anyone else either. Sawyer came up with countless reasons as to why he shouldn't go; sappy wedding moments and seeing middle-aged men attempting to dance at the reception was definitely not Sawyer's scene, LA traffic - no need for explanation there, and just knowing that no one would really care if he wasn't there. Aw hell, if I don't go I'll never get a moment's peace. If she isn't there, that's the end of it. If she is.. Sawyer didn't let himself go there, knowing full well that fantasies hardly ever turn out the way you hope.
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The reception was being held in Malibu, at a banquet hall right next to the beach. When Sawyer pulled up and saw the ocean and sandy beach, he smirked a little and shook his head. I wonder whose fucking cute idea this was. He took a swig from his Jack Daniels bottle, took a deep breath, got out of the car and made his way inside, in the lobby, and in front of the reserved room. When he got to the door, he could already hear the festivities going on inside. He hesitated for a second. You can turn back if you want, no one will see you. You can just leave and forget about all this. Suddenly, the door opened towards Sawyer which made him step back. Someone was coming out, and Sawyer recognized him immediately.
"Oh excuse me.." The man had been looking down while opening the door, and only knew that someone was coming in at the same time. He finally looked up and there was a split second of unrecognition before realizing who he was standing face to face with. "Sawyer."
"Jack." Sawyer said stiffly, but he quickly relaxed and snickered a little. "How did I know it'd be the good ol' Doc that I'd first run into?" From the look of amused annoyance that was on Jack's face, Sawyer knew that not much had changed. He glanced over Jack's shoulder. "Is everyone drunk yet?"
Jack didn't answer. "Michael told me he invited you. I didn't think you'd show." After Jack said this, a look of realization washed over his face. He then looked back and scanned the room of people, like he was looking for someone.
"Yeah well, I'm not staying long." Sawyer then looked behind him towards the parking lot. He turned back to Jack. "Leaving already? Aw shucks, and I just got here too." His sarcastic tone only attempted to hide the rising tension that was developing.
"No, I have to get something from the car. For my wife." There was a defeated tone in his voice that concerned Jack. For some reason, he didn't want to admit that he was living the cookie-cutter, suburban life that Sawyer predicted he would have.
"Well now, can't keep the missus waiting now, can we?" Sawyer smirked slightly as Jack walked past him. He was in a slightly better mood and made his way inside the room. He quickly spotted the makeshift bar and walked over as fast as he could, trying not to make eye contact with anyone. He was halfway there when someone stopped in front of him. For a few seconds this large man just stood there.
"Dude!" He then turned to his left and seemed to be yelling at someone across the room. "He's here, you owe me $20!" Then a faint voice in an unmistaken English accent yelled back from that direction.
"You're a bloody millionaire! I was just joking about the bet!"
Hurley was about to protest when Sawyer spoke up. "What the hell.." He looked at Charlie then back to Hurley, his jaw stiffening. "If you don't get the fuck out of my way.."
"Oh. Yeah. Sorry about that, dude. It's just that no one thought you'd.."
By then Sawyer had already walked past him. I'm a goddamn circus attraction. This was a bad idea. He definitely wanted to leave then, but he needed a drink more than ever. He finally made his way to the bar and ordered a glass of whiskey.
"You made it. Can't say I'm not surprised."
Sawyer turned around to see Michael in his crisp black tux, his beautiful new bride at his side. Sawyer was regretting coming, and he almost wanted to blame Michael, so much so that he was tempted to hit on the new blushing bride. "Yeah, I've gotten that a lot." Sawyer looked at him with contempt and was about to say a whole lot more, but instead he lifted up his glass to get the last of his drink. "Well as much as I'd like to join the conga line that American Idol reject over there is about to start, I think it's time for me to head on out. Thanks for the invite, Mike. I hope you two will be happy as clams." Sawyer walked between them and headed for the door, ready to forget about this night and everything and everyone connected to it. He was mere feet from the door when Jack suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Don't you wanna know?"
Sawyer could see in Jack's face that he regretted the words he had just spoken. Sawyer was curious, but he didn't want to stay a minute longer. "Know what? Why you're always in my way?" He looked at Jack knowingly, and then walked around him. Sawyer's hand had already touched the handle when Jack spoke again.
"Don't you wanna know.. that she's here?"
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I hope you guys liked the cameos. ;) I wanted to write in more characters and add dialogue, but I wanted to get to the real heart of this story, which is Kate and Sawyer. I'll try to bring more people in eventually. :)