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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#128: Tea Time

Did you know that January is National Hot Tea Month? Tea is a wonderfully diverse beverage that’s enjoyed in many different ways all over the world. It can be a soothing drink, a social drink, and has even sparked conflicts (think the Boston Tea Party, or the First Opium War).

Inspired by the history and cultural significance of this beverage, here are the prompts for this week’s contest:

This week's prompts

Start your story with someone making a cup of tea — either for themself or for someone else.

Fluff – 171 stories

Set your story in a tea house.

Spring – 36 stories

Write a story about a tea party that your character is reluctant to go to.

Summer – 44 stories

Write about a character who’s dying to “spill the tea” (gossip) about something.

Fluff – 21 stories

Write a story about a conflict that breaks out over something ordinary (like tea, perhaps).

High School – 26 stories

Stories

“Broken Trust ” by Hannah B

Submitted to Contest #128

The union jack billowed in the breeze, heavy with humidity refusing to give way to rain. No matter how charming and quintessentially "English" the English Tea Room appeared, nothing could hide the glaringly obvious fact that they were situated in Covington, Louisiana. The 70-degree winter was enough to disabuse one of any delusions that they might be on a quiet little island country on the colder side of the Atlantic. Anastasia bemoaned the heat, wondering how she was meant to drink hot tea in such weather, wondering if this was all a huge m...

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“Steeped” by Ashley York-Aronovich

Submitted to Contest #128

"Good Morning" said the young and delicate hostess standing behind an elegant wood carved podium. Jody and I had decided to meet up at The Hour, a prestigious tea room in Boltonville. Speaking of an hour, I had been waiting for Jody to show about a half of one already. It had been a long time since we had seen one another, six years to be exact. We had recently reconnected through a mutual friend of ours named Sonny. Sonny owned the local Playhouse Theatre in Canterbury, that is where we all met so many years ago. I had been on one of m...

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“Frabjous Life” by Tara Mann

Submitted to Contest #128

The doctors gave Mia a year. She decided then and there that she wanted to spend it traveling the world, collecting tourist teacups from every country. The doctors warned her that frequent travel would worsen her condition, but she insisted. They asked me to try to change her mind, but who am I to deny her last wish? Who am I to confine her to a hospital bed for the rest of her short time left? Two months in and we’ve visited thirty. The chest full of carefully wrapped teacups grows heavier with each country. She only lets me carry it on t...

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“Tea Corner Harmony ” by Jenny K

Submitted to Contest #128

The sound of hot water poured from a tea kettle had a certain tranquility about it. It was softer than the sound of running water from a fountain but sturdy enough to know its purpose.It roused me at the window seat while nearly dozing off as my mind wandered into some distant, unknown land. The smell of steeping green tea rose with the steam, wafting in my direction, confirming the idea that someone else was nearby. Of course, it shouldn't have been a surprise, considering I was sitting in a teahouse. Still, I was briefly wounded by the fac...

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“THE DIVINE ESCAPE PLAN” by Denise Brackett

Submitted to Contest #128

It is an utter waste of time if you ask me. People dressed up as clowns, parading around talking nonsense for what? I’d much rather spend my evening sitting on my sofa, enjoying a good movie, some comfort food and myself. Yes, that’s right, no company necessary. Every year, the same thing happens, no changes, the same crowd, the same type of music, and, yes, the same location. Maybe if they had had it in a different section of the vineyard, since they are trying to be cost-effective, I’d have considered it, but not in that garden with the s...

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“Boo Bear's Last Stand” by Fatima Jawaid

Submitted to Contest #128

[CW: Strong language]It was a remarkable set up - no one could argue that. The three-tiered serving tray had been meticulously polished, it’s silver edges glimmered majestically in the light. One could tell that Annabella had taken great care in laying out a floral tablecloth, each edge pulled tight and carefully tucked, not a single crease anywhere to be seen. Perched in front of each plastic chair were dainty floral tea cups that longed for hot liquid to grace their ceramic edges; matching china sat snug next to them. The door to Anna...

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“Tea with Darla Rose” by Jennifer Dowdell

Submitted to Contest #128

Rolling around in her soft new bedding, Latrice never wanted to leave this spot. After constantly seeing the ad in the side column, on her internet page, she finally gave in and ordered the comforter set. It was a peach colored, floral print with a king sized comforter. Eyes closed, she smiled, snuggling, deeper down into her bedding. This was pure bliss, she thought. With both hands tightly, clutching the comforter, she pulled it up to her chin...with wild mischievous eyes looking around the room, she began mimicking Rachel's deranged ...

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“He must know.” by Raul Afonso Taunay

Submitted to Contest #128

Andrew was walking back home. He carried a bag of groceries in his left arm leaving his right free to tap nervously on his leg. It had been hard to go back home the past few days, and not for the reasons anyone would think. He entered his apartment ogled by doorman's sympathizing eyes. What was he to do instead of putting his own down and keep walking. Thankfully the elevator was there so he didn't have to stand that pity shower for long. As he went up he remembered how simple thing were a week ago. He and Joshua would spend their days chat...

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“Past Life” by Shana Kneebone

Submitted to Contest #128

I was running for my life, trying to get away from whatever was chasing me. I could hear it breathing and crashing through the forest. It was pitch black, there was no moonlight or starlight. I couldn’t see anything. I could feel it gaining on me, I could hear the rasp in its throat, hungry to consume my flesh and tear me limb from limb. I could smell it, it smelt of rotten flesh mixed with a musky scent of mould. I tried to pick up the pace, but my legs started to grow heavy, I stumbled and fell. “Abby?” I felt someone shake me, and say m...

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“Invitation to tea” by Colleen Pinner

Submitted to Contest #128

Mary typed the note she had carefully planned. Kara, David was everything to me. He wasn’t supposed to go first. We had so many plans for our future. This is probably a cowardly thing to do, but I just can’t go on alone. You’ve been such a good friend. Guiding me through the worst of it; advising me on all the financial matters. I was surprised at how much was involved. I think you might have been too; except you and David had always talked ...

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“Tea Dates with Mom” by Angelica Hernandez

Submitted to Contest #128

I stood watching the small bubbles begin to form in the water signaling the rising temperature. I sighed as I leaned one elbow onto the counter and placed my chin in my hand waiting for the boil to start. She always wanted tea when she came over. I threw my eyes over my shoulder for only a second to try and discern if she was frustrated yet. “You know I have a kettle that only takes thirty seconds to heat,” she called out from behind her phone screen. I rolled m...

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“Tea and Sympathy ” by Hannah B

Submitted to Contest #128

***TW: Mention of SA, Abortion, and Miscarriage*** Steam rushed into the air as the boiling water poured from the kettle into Kit’s teacup, the teabag bobbing in the water as it filled to the brim, turning the water into an amber hue. Kit inhaled, relishing the smell of the Irish Breakfast tea. Anastasia’s home was quiet, peaceful, far removed from the noise of the French Quarter down below. Kit sat at a barstool at the island counter, peering through the window above the sink, from which she could see the Mississippi River glistening ben...

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“i will try for you” by Mollie Zehner

Submitted to Contest #128

“How strange,” Pope stated as he poured the water into a coffee mug, the wisps of heat billowing out into the air freely. He scoffed to himself as he listened to Atticus ramble, plopping a bag of tea leaves into the steamy liquid. A reminiscent made its way onto Pope’s lips as Pope repeatedly dunked the small bag, his current mind elsewhere. He thought of simpler times, like the way that his bare feet would hit the dampened sand, dodging the many relaxing adults and almost tripping over several towels and umbrellas. Pope wanted so badly to b...

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“Tea For Two” by Ellen Oh

Submitted to Contest #128

That day started out like any other: Birdie poured hot water in a mug and stared out the window while her tea steeped. It was Cinnamon & Cardamom. It smelled warm and fuzzy, the way fleece feels. Tasted good too. We shared. Birdie was a little off balance that day. I’m not totally sure why. She was just… off. She dropped the teabag in the trash and began the crossword. It was only Tuesday, so it should be a snap - and with no googling! But for some reason, she kept rereading the clues, and none of them made any sense. E...

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“Just Rip the Bandage Off” by Zach Martz

Submitted to Contest #128

As soon as the microwave beeped, Katie withdrew the steaming hot mug of water from it and gently closed the door. She whipped out a bag of fragrant chamomile tea and plunked it into the mug. It immediately soaked up the water and unleashed its pungent yet fruity aroma right under her nose. She inhaled deeply, smiling even though she was very anxious. For pure sensory relaxation, nothing beat a cup of good chamomile tea.Katie began adding a small spoonful of honey to her tea, stirring it around inside the cup with a long-handled spoon. All th...

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$250

Prize money

298

Contest entries

160

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 14, 2022 EST

Won by Jay Wayne 🏆

Title: my fellow passerine

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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