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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.

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 – 42 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

“Luscious Tormentor” by M M

Submitted to Contest #153

!Minor sex references!As usual, I was sitting at the far back of the class, minding my own business. I lean back, swinging vaguely, back and forth on my chair as I hold my book in between the desk and myself. All I hear are the muffled voices of kids and their constant gossiping as they start to evaporate. I then hear a singular voice, assuming that of course it must be the teacher, and continue reading as my mind resumes cloaking her voice. The teacher then speaks out two words that seem familiar to me. Then it hits me. My eyes blur out the...

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“Desire for Something Unwanted” by L.J Sunwing

Submitted to Contest #153

“I like you,” as he said this, he studied how the warm light reflected off her face. Her brown eyes embellished the burning light in a way that made them look like they belonged in the depths of some form of royal gold. Her expression was both wide-eyed and blank, she turned her face away looking back at the street with all the people dancing and laughing. Her profile looked more regal with the lights of the festival and the music giving way to her. “It’ll go away, believe me,” she tried to distract herself with the music. Her heart thudde...

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“The Four Loves of Miss Jane Pickles” by Marcia H.

Submitted to Contest #153

Jane spread out the fifty or so wedding invitations across her dining room table and looked at each and every one carefully. The last batch had mistakes and she had to send them back. She hoped that she didn’t have a problem with this batch. So far so good. She nodded her head and smiled. “You are invited to the wedding of Miss Jane Anne Pickles and Mr. Hunter Kyle Alexander on Saturday, July 17th, 2023 at the lovely home of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Handcock. The ceremony will be held in the garden at 222 Main Street. Port Charles, NY. Pleas...

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“Old Cold” by Thomas Pascal

Submitted to Contest #153

“I can’t believe we’re arguing over this,” Liam says to me, fog coming from his mouth as he speaks. I hold back a smile. “It’s an important decision. Do we leave her here or call it in?” Liam looks at me in disbelief, “We call it in!” I pull the collar of my jacket tighter around my neck and nod, quietly smiling, “Roger that.” I love winding Liam up. It’s so easy. We both look at Mrs Jones who sits on a large, puffy chair. Her legs and arms are splayed out and her mouth is open. Her cheek skin sags to all buggery and I can see her...

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“Desert Drive” by Kale Gordon

Submitted to Contest #153

Desert Drive “I can’t believe we’re arguing over this, if you had just listened to the directions we wouldn’t be lost!” Sally said in anger. Jeffrey took a deep breath, “Sally I told you, I know where I’m going,” “How do you know where, we are Jeffery? We have been driving to Las Vegas all day, it’s now night time in the desert and we can see a damn thing!” Sally screamed now feel stuck and out of breath. “Don’t worry about it, I’ve taken this trip like five times through childhood,” Jeffery said gritting his teeth. “That expla...

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“Daredevils in Dress Suits” by K Cao Xai

Submitted to Contest #153

Ani liked to solve problems.When she hung up the phone with Serra, her solution to making it in time for their dinner date was to leave work early. A quick look outside the office window showed heavy rain. There weren’t many hover cars flying through the night sky and most of the high-rise buildings had their lights off. Traffic wouldn’t be an issue.Ani shut off her computer, put on her coat, and grabbed her metallic briefcase but before heading out, the light above her office’s door turned red, accompanied by a soft buzz. She didn’t have an...

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“I'm Right” by Tim Daughtry

Submitted to Contest #153

“So girls why are you here today?” Of course, I knew why they were here. Two cheerleaders fighting over the high school quarterback. That's never happened before. As a high school counselor I haven't heard it all but I have heard a lot. “Danielle stole my boyfriend.” Stephanie was sure that punching Danielle would persuade her to give Ian back. So that’s what she did. I was certain that if anyone needed punching it was probably Ian. But only a thought on my part. (The drama with Ian comes later in the story, so let’s get bac...

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“Damon’s 2nd Chance” by Jame Michaels

Submitted to Contest #153

Damon’s 2nd Chance By Jame Michaels Just as I was coming through the classroom door, the bell rang. “Damon, I’d like to see you after class, please.” It was Miss Mc Gary. “Yes, ma’am.” I knew what this was about. I didn’t think anyone saw me when I left school last Friday, but someone must have spotted me besides Rat Face. The real name for Rat Face was Richard. Richard was on me like stink on dodo. Not just once in a while. But ALL THE TIME! He must have a terrible home life because every day when he came to school, he had one mission. G...

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“Forgiveness Beyond” by Cynthia Maria Grace

Submitted to Contest #153

She spits out her words toward him with seething contempt. “You are a bad person. You wasted my life”. Her grandson braces himself as the scene unfolds directed entirely at him. Sadness is seeping from his eyes while he waited for her wrath to cease. “I cooked for you. I did your laundry. I stood by you loyally for all those years. You humiliated me. You shamed me every day. I didn’t deserve it. You are evil.” Her grandson cringed slightly but responded in a calm voice. “No. You didn’t deserve that. I am sorr...

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“Against all odds: My journey to freedom From a heart stroke to walking again” by Chacha Jaramillo

Submitted to Contest #153

The last thing I remembered was complaining about a back pain. Already exhausted, stressed and self-neglected, my mind slowly and painfully dived into the darkness. No more sounds, no more feelings, no more needs. I felt happy. I felt light. No more worrying. Neat. A faint recurring beep kept on waking me up. Yeah, I was aware of my surroundings, but something was impeding me from standing and look out. It was a constant battle- no more win - win. Ok, why the heck was I being compelled to contemplating this quietness? It felt nice, but empty...

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“Get Down” by Charise Bejarano

Submitted to Contest #153

This story contains strong profanity. "Get down!!" Those two words are all I have heard since starting at a new school again. I'm constantly picked on by this sophomore girl named Haley. The fear of all things unknown hits me like liquid lead when her voice shoves past everyone in the hall. I'm a senior, for crying out loud; this girl should be scared of me by my place on the food chain alone! It doesn't help that I'm not the tallest of my class. Being just under five feet seems to give her an added advantage. Everyone who ha...

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“A Challenge of Courage ” by Ruby Pix

Submitted to Contest #153

Zack, a baby-faced teen, went to the local high school. For the most part, a lot of the girls were fond, of him. But he was bullied by many of the young men in his class. They teased him, mocked him, and, to an extent, were physical with him. But Zack never fought back or tried to stop them. He thought the less he fought the sooner it would end. And the sooner it ended the sooner he would be able to carry on with his life. That was until she came into his life. Her name was Naomi, and she was the student body president. She had shown an...

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“Warriors” by Claudia Jackson

Submitted to Contest #153

Warriors “Eat it.” He said the words quietly, in the low growl I had learned was more dangerous than the yelling. But the yelling came after. It always did. The slice of bread stared up...

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“SHINE DAUGHTER OF MINE” by Charity Marx

Submitted to Contest #153

Every morning, we would wake up to some kind of commotion. But what would you expect form a compound with six wives and twenty children? That particular morning, I was already awake in my makeshift bed staring at the roof where the early morning sun rays pierced through mercilessly. It was somehow calming though. It looked like the constellations on the night sky that blanketed the village and everyone in it. My mind drifted to Atemi. The mean girl who bore breast earlier than all of us and made her feel invisible in the face of the rest. It...

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“Learning to Stand” by BA Eubank

Submitted to Contest #153

Cassie tried not to wince as she pushed Kaylee on the swing, but the movements sent hot, jabbing pain to her ribs. Her upper arms protested every push. She wanted to lie down and not move until there was no more pain, physically or emotionally. Her thoughts drifted, wondering how her life got so messed up. She used to laugh more, have tons of friends. And then she got pregnant with Kaylee and married Marc. She missed the Marc she knew when they were dating. He was so caring, attentive, and tender. And sometimes he still was, even though...

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$250

Prize money

213

Contest entries

103

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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