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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#148: The Lease I Can Do

Most of us at one time or another will live in an apartment building. Whether you live in a dorm while at college, or you live in a high-rise in Manhattan, sharing a wall or two with your neighbors certainly keeps things interesting. And living in such close proximity to other people has its pros and cons — you’re never too far from help if you need it, but you’re also never too far from the party your downstairs neighbors seem to throw every weekend.

What are some of your fondest (or least fond) memories of apartment living? Use these five prompts to explore what it’s really like to live in an apartment building — or just a little too close to your neighbors for comfort.

This week's prompts

Write about two neighbors who cannot stand each other.

Sad – 43 stories

Write a story involving a noise complaint.

Sad – 45 stories

Include a character in your story that is often in an apartment building, but doesn’t actually live there.

High School – 38 stories

Write about a couple touring an empty apartment they might rent.

Narrative – 27 stories

Write about an apartment building being demolished.

Sad – 42 stories

Stories

“The Hummingbird” by Katy B

Submitted to Contest #148

“I’d be an atheist, but then I’d have no one to be angry with,” Horacio lisped. His delicate fingers brought the cigarette closer to his face, then back near mine with a languid, fluid motion that reminded me of fishing lines over Lake Chapala. I’d recently gotten into the habit of swallowing the bait, although I could see the hook perfectly well. “Socialists are always atheists,” I responded. I flicked the ash off the end and wondered if I was bored with him. “I've heard you say it yourself.” Horacio and I began each night dining ...

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“1869 Gehenna Street, Hades” by Kevin Marlow

Submitted to Contest #148

The heat erupted from the very rocks themselves. With no sun, orange light emitted from the glowing stalactites that jutted from the roof of the massive cave like giant flaming lances. Pools of sulfuric acid smoked and gurgled, belching fumes that burned the nostrils; fumaroles were burping dragons releasing acrid gases. This was 1869 Gehenna Street, Hades, just up the way from the Abyss. The apartments were carved into solid rock by wayward souls that had yet to earn a chance to hurl themselves into the eternal fire and be erased from the a...

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“ A Better Home” by Mike Panasitti

Submitted to Contest #148

You live in Orange County, California. It's 2019.You’re discontented with your lot in life. You’re considering dropping out of your master’s program in creative writing. You’re questioning your identity and depend on social security to make ends meet.Mother Marbles is also unhappy. Her health is ailing and she hasn’t had friends visit much since you decided to move back in with her. Your bedroom shares a wall with a neighbor whose rancor you incite whenever you try to strum and sing along to a country tune. The neigh...

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“One way down” by Chris Campbell

Submitted to Contest #148

It was a fitting end to a hostile night. Clear skies accompanied by a moderate wind blowing mildly across the rooftops of the old Douglas building in Manhattan, brought a sense of relief to the lone denizen of this night, unemotionally looking straight down the side of the building at the rapidly disappearing human silhouette. With an air of witticism summing up the moment… it was… a view to die for…&...

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“Not Exactly Hallmark” by Robin Owens

Submitted to Contest #148

It could have ended like a Hallmark movie—you know, if I were into those—but it didn’t. It would have been too obvious and convenient anyway: the boy, the girl in the neighboring apartment, both single, eye-flirting from their patios until one of them finally breaks the ice with a killer line. Picture a guy and a girl; I’ll call them Greg and Sarah. Greg’s walking his dog Lulu. Sarah is trying to remember where she parked. (Prepare for the meet-cute). In a matter of seconds Greg’s dog has wrapped herself around Sarah’s legs. Greg catches S...

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“Shifting Roots” by Suma Jayachandar

Submitted to Contest #148

I know you are miffed with me right now, but you will thank me when I’m not around.When I showed you the e-brochure of Saket Retirement Homes last week, you scoffed at the grey-haired, brightly clothed couple cornering a football on the lawn, and remarked, “As if they can kick it around without getting a cramp and their backs singing to them at night.” This ridicule, when I had carefully eliminated the ones that were named as senior homes, old age homes, and assisted living! I knew you would have never even considered taking a look at them. ...

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“Hollow Healer” by Graham Kinross

Submitted to Contest #148

TW: Sex, swearing and troubled pasts. Wooden floorboards creak beneath Billie’s bare feet. She told me to take off my shoes at the door so I’m there in my threadbare socks as if I care about the view from the window. The letting agent is spouting the usual bullshit. All I’m thinking about is that she tried to shake my hand when I entered. I can’t shake people’s hands. A touch is never just a touch with me. When my flesh touches someone else’s I see all the worst parts ...

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“Apartment 618” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #148

For the last eighteen months, we have lived in the same two-bedroom apartment. We moved here when my wife and I found out we were having a baby, and that one-bedroom death trap we were in was not going to cut it. The apartment building is in a decent area with several young families in the neighborhood, and all the amenities within a short drive when needed. What sold us on this place, however, was the view; it ...

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“Teal-Like Man” by Deborah Angevin

Submitted to Contest #148

Teal is an ambiguous colour. Not quite blue, not quite green, but something in between. And it was exactly how Kevin was when I first walked past him at the bridge, eight years after our high school graduation. The man who was alive, but observing the sky around with lifeless eyes. His skinny body was wrapped in an oversized hooded jacket, shielding him from the wind while he leaned his back on the railing of the bridge. His shoulders curled up, and as my beige coat brushed his arms, our eyes interlocked. “Dark green eyes?” The man...

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“I can't stand you anymore” by Chayma Chouchen

Submitted to Contest #148

It will be no exaggeration to say that the neighbor is nearer than God. In other words, the neighbor helps the man when he is in difficulty, shares the joys and the sorrows, and takes active interest in the household affairs and is also prepared to help whenever it is needed. Neighbors can make life hell, or heaven by their actions. That is why the old adage says that one should select the neighbor first and then the house. A bad neighbor might be a source of continual trouble, this is the life of Logan and Faye.Here is Mr. Colleen, trying t...

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“The Death of Appearances” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #148

“We have plenty of time,” Zelda said, reaching across the space betwixt her and her fiancé. She lovingly caressed his forearm in an attempt to assure that his despondency was due to nothing more than the gloomy weather that filled the streets of Paris this rainy day. “We have plenty of time to go all the places and see all the things your heart desires, Jacques. In a month we’ll be married and living together right here in this lovely Parisian apartment. Life is young. We are on the precipice of so many possibilities, so why in heaven’s na...

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“Unlocking the Door” by Rebecca Miles

Submitted to Contest #148

Gripping the reassuring weight of the heavy silver key, she makes her way through the gate, letting it clang shut behind her, hoping the tenants might hear her approach. She tries to remember the last time she was here, turning the key over and over in her pocket as if that will unlock the memory, but it stays stubbornly shut. A year ago? The inspections used to be annual, they were hardly needed more regularly when the House was brand sparkling new, all fresh paint and glittering windows.Of course, she remembers a time when she’d been summo...

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“The Three Bodies Problem” by Graham Kinross

Submitted to Contest #148

For three days the bodies had been floating over the city. Decaying. Watching them from the balcony of the highest home in her tower, Danielle felt lead weights sink in her stomach. Scaffolding was slowly rising towards them. Progress was slow. No one building the improvised wooden tower wanted to be close to the force that held the corpses in place. “It shouldn’t be long now,” said Prince Consort Carl. “They’re almost there. Then they can get them down and it will all b...

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“Banned Practice” by Graham Kinross

Submitted to Contest #148

TW: SwearingMichael glared across the bar at Diana. This was his night, the big gig. She wasn’t going to ruin it for him. “That the one who keeps calling the cops on you?” Asked Dennis, the guitarist in the band. Dennis flicked away the black, curly locks that made him look like a glam rock throwback. “She’s hot.” He sipped a beer, two fingers and a thumb on the neck of the bottle as if he was a prim and proper gentleman sipping tea from fine porcelain. &...

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“The Final Thoughts of the Building at the Corner of 2nd and D” by Jay Gautier

Submitted to Contest #148

I knew my demolition would be inevitable. My halls have been left empty for so long now. My pipes are a wet mess of rust and mold. My electrical wiring and conduit have been reclaimed by nature. My insides are nothing more than chewed wires and bird’s nests these days. The carpet on most of my floors has a festering slime in the fibers. Multiple inspectors said they’d never seen anything comparable, and warned against anyone entering. That’s likely why they’re tearing me down. I suppose by this point I’m comparable to a rabid animal, a dange...

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$250

Prize money

195

Contest entries

90

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 03, 2022 EST

Won by S.K. Wulf 🏆

Title: Two Stubborn Women

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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