Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, they belong to Channel 7.
Bron awoke to the whisper of voices and the rustling of paper in the lounge room. There were giggles and noises drifting through the air. She turned over and faced the clock, it read 6.37am. Bron rolled onto her back and stared aimlessly at the ceiling, this was going to be the worst christmas of all. She shuddered at the thought of spending christmas alone. The room seemed empty and cold, she pulled the doona up to her chin and felt the warm tears stream down her cheek.
An hour passed and the noises had ceased. There was no sound other than the wind gently passing through her open window. Bron let out a sigh. All day on her own, what was she possibly going to do? She thought of Ben and quickly pushed the thought aside. Bron decided to get up and make a coffee, but the liquid swirled around in her mug and it was tasteless in her mouth. Connor and Jodi had left early to visit Connor's family, and Jared and Kylie were enjoying a romantic christmas breakfast in bed, with the door securely closed. And Bron, she sat on the couch alone and stared at the wall.
Although the christmas tree was brightly lit and decorated, Bron saw no colours, felt no happiness and definitely was missing the christmas spirit. Her parents had decided to take a romantic trip overseas spending christmas on a cruise ship and a tropical island. They would now be happily enjoying the picturesque sunrise and beauty surrounding them, and Bron was sitting watching the bleak walls. Bron had never felt so lost, so alone.
Christmas wrapping and curly ribbon lay strewn across the floor, in a maze of enchantment where earlier, presents and laughter had been shared. There was now a distinct lack of wrapped presents lying under the tree, and Bron noticed that she hadn't even placed her presents under the tree.
The cupboards were empty and Bron swore as she tipped the last droplet of milk into her second cup of coffee. It looked like she was going to have to face the world after all if she wasn't going to starve as well as mope on christmas day. Without showering, Bron dressed in baggy shorts and a white singlet top, threw on her sandals and raced out the front door. The sun was gleaming and throughout the street, christmas lights were flashing and laughter could be heard. The lights rebounded off Bron's glum face and no amount of cheer or excitement could engulf Bron with the christmas cheer.
For a day where families were supposed to be at home celebrating, there were plenty of people at the local supermarket. It was only opened for limited hours Bron discovered for people who had forgotten last minute snacks or some forgotten relative was now going to be at lunch so there was an extra present needed. Bron avoided the greetings of 'Merry Christmas' and 'Best Wishes' and pushed her way through to the milk aisle. She reached down to pick up a bottle of lite white when she saw a glimpse of Ben. Immediately she placed the milk back on the shelf and followed him through the crowd. People seemed to continually step into her way and when she reached the end of the aisle, she couldn't see where he had gone.
Hastily she moved between aisles, pushing through people and ducking under displays to try and catch up with Ben. She saw him turn down the cereal aisle and a smile started to creep onto her face. As soon as she reached the aisle, she turned and raced down it excited at the prospect of meeting with Ben on what was to be such a lonely day for her. But when she reached him, he had his back to her and he was reaching over and kissing another woman with long brown hair who was wheeling a stroller. Bron gasped in shock and just stared. She felt her temperature rising and an anger building within her, stronger than the anti-christmas spirit she already felt. Ben turned around and Bron was shocked but relieved to see that the man wasn't Ben after all, just a very close look alike. Bron sighed and realised that her mind just wanted her to see Ben.
They had fought, about his feelings for her and about her brushing him off. He had told her to enjoy her christmas alone because he was sick of her attitude and he was right wasn't he? Bron did have a bad attitude, Bron was angry with herself, for being so stubborn, for being so scared, for always thinking that he was going to compare her with Steph. But did she compare?? Bron could feel the tears brewing and she raced out of the store, without the milk and without composure. She sat on a taxi rank bench and cried. She held her head in her hands and let it all out. She realised she was going to spend christmas alone and it was all her own fault.
As she sobbed on the bench, a hand reached down and touched her on the shoulder "Are you okay miss?" a male voice said. Bron strained through the tears to see the person talking to her, as she wiped her eyes she saw that it was an elderly taxi driver. He looked down at her sympathetically. "Is there somewhere you need to go? Somewhere I can take you? You don't have to pay a fare, just let me know where you need to go" the man spoke with a genuine interest and as she nodded, a big smile came across his face. Bron hopped into the front seat of the cab and her sobbing stopped on the journey. She watched houses and people go past and she watched the smile of the cab driver which started to make her want to smile too.
"Here we go" the cab driver said as they pulled up to the kerb. Bron looked at the house and sighed. She started to get out her wallet but the cab driver said "don't worry about it". Regardless of his wishes, Bron pulled out a $20 note for a $7 fair and handed it to him, "Merry Christmas" she said with a smile and jumped out of the car before he could refuse. "Thank you, you too miss" the cab driver responded before pulling away from the kerb. Bron turned and faced Ben's house, she took a deep breath and as she walked up the path to the door, she felt her christmas cheer return and she knew this was where she was meant to be today!
