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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#153: Fighting Talk

Whether you’re hot headed by nature, or the thought of bad blood breaks you out in a rash, arguments are unavoidable. As we age, we all realize that confrontation is often necessary. This week’s prompts explore the world of conflict and resolution — and trying to find the positive in the negative.

🥇 Winner

“Broken” by L. E. Scott

🏆 Winner of Contest #153

TW: This story alludes to sexual abuse, and contains some violence.It has been ten years since you told me to leave and never come back. I think about that night sometimes. I replay it in my mind. It was mostly my fault. I took my anger out on you, because I couldn’t take it out on him. I think I blamed you, for not noticing, for not stopping it. Eventually, you kicked him to the curb, but that didn’t quiet my anger. It continued to explode. That was the night I shattered plate after plate against the side of your house. You screamed at me t...

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⭐️ Shortlisted

“The Thing About Ava” by Jeannette Miller

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #153

“I can’t believe we’re arguing about this.” I said to my husband under my breath hoping our 4-year-old daughter sitting a few feet away couldn’t hear. She was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen when she was born. Of course, I’m sure every mom thinks that; especially after giving birth, all hopped up on adrenaline, and completely exhausted. Looking into her tiny face with huge blue eyes and already a good amount of dark hair, I promised I would take care of her and love her until the end of time. Ava did everything early. Sitting up, cr...

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“'Green Bean Couch'” by Faith Abbington

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #153

TW: substance abuse, minor wound (gore), destruction of objects in anger (violence) Rose gripped her coffee mug by the handle, glaring at the messy countertop. She began to sweep crumbs onto the floor with her empty hand, then stopped, realizing she’d have to sweep them up later. “What have I told you about leaving messes, Harold?” she murmured. “Soon, it’ll attract pests. You know I hate pests.” She muttered angry nothings about roaches and rats until her eyes caught on the empty barstool where Harold usually sat. She glared at the empty sp...

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“A Little Off the Nose” by Andrea Mariana

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #153

Fiametta clenched the linen sheet draped around the painting. Where in God’s name was he, she thought – or rather, His Excellency? Out of the corner of her eye, Fiametta could just spot her manager, Signore Giulio, glancing at his pocket watch. Fifteen minutes after noon had come and gone. Though His Excellency had demanded that Fiametta complete the portrait in a bare two weeks, it seemed that Bishop Antonio Cipriani took a more leisurely view of his own time. Fiametta sighed as her brown eyes wandered to the quadro riportato artwork over...

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This week's prompts

Write a story about a character learning to stand up for themselves.

Character – 48 stories

Write about a character trying to heal an old rift.

Sad – 43 stories

Write a story about two characters who have been fighting for so long, they can’t remember what started it.

Sad – 27 stories

Write a story that includes the line “I can’t believe we’re arguing over this.”

High School – 60 stories

Write about a character who settles disputes for a living (a judge, mediator, school counselor, etc).

Middle School – 36 stories

Stories

“Broken” by L. E. Scott

🏆 Winner of Contest #153

TW: This story alludes to sexual abuse, and contains some violence.It has been ten years since you told me to leave and never come back. I think about that night sometimes. I replay it in my mind. It was mostly my fault. I took my anger out on you, because I couldn’t take it out on him. I think I blamed you, for not noticing, for not stopping it. Eventually, you kicked him to the curb, but that didn’t quiet my anger. It continued to explode. That was the night I shattered plate after plate against the side of your house. You screamed at me t...

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“Both Sides of the Argument in Two Parts” by Stevie B

Submitted to Contest #153

Pig FightI can’t believe we’re arguing over this! Conventional wisdom usually dictates two arguments to support its age-old rationale regarding why one should never fight with a pig. The first reason proclaims that if you fight with a pig you’re going to get dirty. The second one decrees that the pig’s going to be the only one who really enjoys it. But I have a third reason which I’d love to share with you. Are you ready for it? Okay, here it is. For me, the most clearly sane line of logic is that you never want to fight a pig because those...

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“Katie” by Brynn Helena

Submitted to Contest #153

"Last night I dreamt that you killed me."I tried to laugh, but my attempt was weak, and Kate wasn't convinced. She never seemed to be. "Y'know," she began, leaning back in her chair as if to get as far away from me as possible without just standing up and leaving, "when you invited me for coffee, that really wasn't what I was expecting you to start with." Naturally, she was defensive and I tried to backpedal. This had always been the yin and yang of our relationship."I just thought it might be an interesting ice breaker.” A lie, fo...

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“A Scandal in the Lapland Art Contest” by Chris Morris

Submitted to Contest #153

- This story is dedicated to diligent and honest judges everywhere -- Have a Christmas cookie on me 🍪 -🎅🎅🎅The Lapland Art Contest is special, because just like Christmas, it only comes once a week.Sorry! I haven’t even introduced myself. How rude! My name is Twinkly Snifflenose, and I’m an elf. It’s hard work being one of Santa’s elves. Really hard work. You humans always seem to think that we elves only have to work during the winter, but what do you think we do for the rest of the year? Go on holiday? Ha! Where to? Barbados? We’re supposed...

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“The Thing About Ava” by Jeannette Miller

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #153

“I can’t believe we’re arguing about this.” I said to my husband under my breath hoping our 4-year-old daughter sitting a few feet away couldn’t hear. She was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen when she was born. Of course, I’m sure every mom thinks that; especially after giving birth, all hopped up on adrenaline, and completely exhausted. Looking into her tiny face with huge blue eyes and already a good amount of dark hair, I promised I would take care of her and love her until the end of time. Ava did everything early. Sitting up, cr...

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“Sodade” by Michał Przywara

Submitted to Contest #153

The party is ruined the moment Gwen spots Wesley standing by the piano. The rest of the spacious condo, with its polished hardwood floor and tastefully arranged furniture, grows muted. The gentle chatter of the other upscale guests and the moody voice of Cesária Évora coming from the artfully hidden speakers blur into the background. All she sees is Wesley. All she hears is his laugh.The host, Ben Dambers, hovers around Wesley, with a bowtie on his neck and a martini in his hand. His boisterous voice, already half-laughing, starts that old n...

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“A Proper Feud” by Story Time

Submitted to Contest #153

You must be sure to prepare the tea a few moments before she arrives. She will insist that she’s not in need of any tea, but that’s a charade. She must be served tea. On the good china. Not the plates from the back cupboards. You’ll be tempted to serve her tea in chipped and brightly colored cups, but you must resist this impulse. There is an etiquette to the feud. You must wear your finest attire. Your hair must be coiffed. Your make-up should be simple, but impactful. Your nails are to be done, and you must always wear a flat shoe. You...

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“The Family Jewels” by Sharon Hancock

Submitted to Contest #153

“I can’t believe we’re arguing over this. You know the law gave me the right to make this decision.” “But, Mom. I can make my own decisions. It’s my life.” That’s how the conversation went between us for years. The day finally came when we could put the argument behind us. Just like every morning since my wedding day, I checked the safe for my family’s most prized possessions. After updating the camera and coordinating the app on my phone, I breathed a ...

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“The Art of Aestivation” by Claire Lindsey

Submitted to Contest #153

Aestivation: a state of dormancy assumed in response to harsh environmental conditions, such as drought or extreme heat. One of the few times my father cried in his life was when the OB squinted into the screen at the sonogram and said I was a boy. A father of four daughters, José Antonio Villanueva had only ever wanted a son. So much so, in fact, that he remained convinced each of my sisters were boys until the day they were born. This forced my mother into last-minute name changes for her beloved girls: Antonia, Juana, Alejandra,...

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“ You're Just So Intolerant” by Wendy M

Submitted to Contest #153

Content warning: this story contains allergens!"I've thought about it, and it's chocolate.""Well that sounds good to me. Thought about what?""What you asked me earlier. Chocolate, it's a universal panacea.""I didn't ask 'what?' is a universal panacea. I asked 'what is?' a universal panacea. It's all in the inflection and the emphasis.""Oh, well you obviously inflected in the wrong place. That's so you. Nice pyjamas by the way. Are you comfy?""Yes, thanks. I could have slept on the air-bed, I didn't mind. I like your jimjams too, cute little ...

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“Never Bribe a Bully” by JD Trevino

Submitted to Contest #153

I remember the rustling crunch of dried leaves beneath my feet as I walked to school in the autumn of 1994. Their spectrum of color ranged from the lightest banana yellow to blood red and cracked dry mud brown. The air was brisk but comfortable and the smell… fresh with a dash of decaying plant life. As a sure sign of the coming winter, trees released what seemed to be a never-ending barrage of leaves, which floated to the ground as gracefully as a ballerina’s dance. The effect was like that of a rain shower, only dry. It took fifty minutes ...

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“How to Disrupt Inertia” by J.C. Lovero

Submitted to Contest #153

Out of all the people in class, he was the LAST one I wanted to be paired with for the semester.I raised my hand.Coach Campbell’s feet rested on top of his desk. He raised an eyebrow, maintaining his focus on the Sports Illustrated magazine. “Yes, Miss Lawson?”“Can I be reassigned to a different partner?” I cast a sidelong glance in Nathan’s direction. “If I’m going to keep my spot as head cheerleader, I really can’t fail physics.”After our breakup last summer, I’d rather work alone.Coach Campbell smirked. “You’ll be fine.”I pressed my lips ...

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“The Accuser ” by Seán McNicholl

Submitted to Contest #153

The heavy courtroom door swung silently on its hinges before the prisoner. Arm in arm with the powerful guards he was led out into the hushed silence that fell before him. All eyes probed and prodded at him as he walked across the room before taking his seat at the cramped worn desk. Before him stood the Judges seat, raised high and looming over him and indeed the entire room. Whispers began to surface from the depth of the silence, murmurings and ponderings about the events that were to unfold before the room. To the pri...

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“Don't Turn off the Light” by Bonnie Jay

Submitted to Contest #153

When the glow at her fingertips finally guttered and went out, he told her it meant she had found peace. But, peace hurt more than she expected. He held her against him in the dark. He was warm and unyielding with arms like a cradle, or a cage. “You hurt me, Selene,” he said. “I love you, despite that.” She felt cold and guilty and turned her face away, towards the window where the moon glowed resolutely through thin clouds. She tilted her face to the dappled light and a playful shimmer rippled across her cheeks. He gripped her chin...

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“Danielle the Dragon Slayer” by Graham Kinross

Submitted to Contest #153

“I have to kill a dragon?” Danielle shook her head. She paced the granite flagstones of her tower. “Your last challenge, little knight.” The god’s herald no longer called her that with venom. Obag Sleagh had admitted his respect for her. “You’ve done what I thought was impossible before.” “I don’t know anything about dragons,” said the knight. Her green tabard was completely restored by the herald’s ...

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$250

Prize money

214

Contest entries

104

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 08, 2022 EST

Won by L. E. Scott 🏆

Title: Broken

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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