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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#157: The Green-Eyed Monster

Reality TV is a big guilty pleasure of mine, and the guiltiest of all those pleasures is probably Love Island. I've spent the last few weeks glued to my screen each night, chatting about it to anybody who's willing to listen — and a good few people who aren't.

One recurring theme of the show is jealousy; contestants break up and make up endlessly, and jealousy often has a hand in the drama that plays out between them. Of course, jealousy isn't always of the romantic variety, and envy over what we don't have can infiltrate our lives in strange and unexpected ways.

This week's prompts tackle the green-eyed monster, and how it can lead us astray — plus a tiny nod to Love Island. I couldn't resist.

This week's prompts

Write about a relationship, either romantic or platonic, that is being affected by jealousy.

Romance – 71 stories

Write about someone deliberately trying to make somebody else envious.

Dark – 25 stories

Write about a character who discovers the grass isn't actually greener on the other side.

Middle School – 44 stories

Write about two characters who both want what the other has, without knowing the feeling is mutual.

Adults – 27 stories

Write about somebody looking for love on a reality TV show.

Romance – 18 stories

Stories

“The Ring of Truth” by Lisa ClimensonSeedsie

Submitted to Contest #157

THE RING OF TRUTH “Matt, bud, will you design a ring for me? I’m going to propose to Angie,” said Randy, a beseeching grin on his face. He sat across from his friend Matt as they chatted and hoisted beer at an outdoor garden restaurant. The summer sun beamed down on Randy in a flattering way, its rays highlighting his reddish-gold hair, his wide smile and pearly-white, crooked front teeth, whose lack of symmetry inexplicably made him even handsomer. Two day’s worth of stubble on his tanned face emphasized his rugged good looks. “You’re...

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“Sexy Threads” by EJ Lagerberg

Submitted to Contest #157

The Bluetooth speaker glowed a rainbow of colors as a 90s dance tune came on and filled the livestock arena with its infectious rhythm. Laurent snapped to attention and turned his ears to the music. It was his favorite song. He squared his shoulders, arched his back, his head held high on his long, graceful neck. He strutted to the song beneath the overhead lights, making eye contact with his enraptured audience. “I’m sexy and I know it,” crooned the speaker. The audience cheered and applauded. Laurent swished his tail. “Look at him, nose...

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“Greener Grass Just Indicates More Fertilizer” by Stephen B. Allen

Submitted to Contest #157

(Denny speaking): Why…oh why did I ever have to meet Jason Berringer? I curse the day when he entered my office to inquire about some comments I had notated on one of the company’s feasibility studies which had passed across my desk.It being Casual Friday, he was wearing a shirt with the emblem of my favorite baseball team emblazoned on the front. Telling him how I believed him to be a quality individual before he could even say a word, I could see an expression of confusion cross his face until I produced from the confines of my desk drawer...

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“Things will be greener” by Joana Burrows

Submitted to Contest #157

Things will get better once I’m out of this school. I seriously can’t take it anymore. It feels like nobody understands me here, everybody is always judging me. She thinks too highly of herself, they say. She thinks she’s so intelligent and pretty. I am, though. But I have no friends. I would give it all away for some friends. I know I’ll have friends in college though. They’ll be smart just like me. I’m so much better than these kids in this school. They’re so focused on sports, so superficial. College will be a dream. I will learn s...

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“I gotta get out of this place” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #157

I gotta get out of this place, if it’s the last thing I ever do. Change the words of that old song (my father’s favourite) a little bit, and it’s still true. This small town has been driving me absolutely crazy for the last few years. I’ve lived here my whole life, all 26 years of it. Pretty much everybody in town knows my history, especially the times I screwed up in high school when I wasn’t listening to the teacher and gave creative answers to questions she asked me (even though my hand wasn’t up). They are also ve...

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“The Bird family welfare check.” by Rose Lind

Submitted to Contest #157

Today, as I trudge up the slant of a hill, I thought my usual thought. I was wondering if the Australian winter sun was merely an old Art Deco lamp, projecting dwindling shapes of coloured light onto the damp, decaying leaves and frost bitten long grass under my boots. The dregs of the Snowy Mountain's iced wind, unwelcomed by us Queenslanders, had once again whistled not only thru the August Brisbane Ekka show, but onto my exposed kidneys. I was wearing a singlet but that wasn't enough protection, so I pulled my bright orange vest tight aro...

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“Stress” by Alena Andrews

Submitted to Contest #157

(Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Suicide) I can’t take the stress anymore. I bring my hand to my mouth and swallow my medication in one gulp while slouching into my couch. I’m told that I work hard. That I plan smart and don’t spend my money on needless things. I’m told that I’m a caring person, a creative person, but I never feel like that's the truth. If I were a hard worker, a smart planner then how could I have fallen from the light into such a dreary emptiness? I feel like one of those bathtub spiders slipping down the smo...

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“The Beach House” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #157

Maggie sighed and tossed her home renovation magazine aside. The glossy pages of beautifully decorated rooms seemed to mock the idea that she would ever get the beach house that she longed for. She was doomed to listen to Audrey and Maude burble on at the book club about their beach properties for ever. It was not for want of trying to convince her husband Tom that it would be a great investment for their retirement. She pushed the magazines under his nose, made him sit through hours of reality television about flipping houses and buying rea...

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“Newman” by Andy Matthews

Submitted to Contest #157

Newman watched the second hand scale the face of the clock on the cabin’s yellow pine wall. You always think there’s enough time. The thought sparked an ironic smile and a weary shake of Newman’s head. His fingers itched for a cigarette despite 12 years of abstinence. He drummed them on the tabletop. The craving eased. But not the anger. The hollow wail of a siren in the distance warned him he’d be leaving soon. Right now, he needed a pair of pants to put on, a clean shirt—this one was filthy—and a phone. A shower? Yeah, that would be nice. ...

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“Captive” by Annette Hallie

Submitted to Contest #157

(Sensitive Content Warning: Neglect, Emotional Abuse) “I’ll see you later, babe.” John leaned down and kissed Mimi on the forehead, but she didn’t move. He waited, watching her expectantly, but she continued to ignore him. “Aw, come on. Don’t be mad at me, girl. I’ll be back before you know it.” Mimi looked forward defiantly. She wanted him to know how upset she was. It was a gorgeous day outside. The sun shone brightly, and a crisp spring breeze balanced out the heat. It was the kind of day where you could sit in a field and r...

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“Shadows” by Maureen MacLennan

Submitted to Contest #157

Shadows The game show-like voice came through the speakers above her head, it was announcing ongoing sales in the supermarket but the enthusiasm was out of place and out of time. She was already in the lineup so the price of local carrots was a moot point now. There were only two other people in the queue before her so she knew it wouldn’t be much longer but the day had already been long and she was tired. The till next to hers had five wilting humans waiting, likely due to the young girl doing the bagging, she was new and hadn’t realize...

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“Decisions, Decisions” by ER Castaneda

Submitted to Contest #157

“Hey, Davis! Boss said he needs that pitch by 8 tomorrow morning.” Steven sighed. It was already just past 10PM and he was putting the finishing touches on another ad campaign, thinking he’d finally get to head home at a reasonable time tonight. But with this new deadline, he’d definitely have to pull an all-nighter. “Thanks Michael. Looks like I’m staying here tonight.” “Sucks,” said Michael, “but this is the life we signed up for! I’m meeting up with a couple of the...

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“The Joy of the Body” by Nick Costanza

Submitted to Contest #157

You've gotta be kiddin'! cried Horsehead, shifting in his chair and impatiently peering across the room. I'm for real, responded Fishbreather. You get used to the water, being under it for days at a time. It's not like every day is Christmas, dude. How many times do I have to tell you this? The two men sat in a dilapidated warehouse, surrounded by empty boxes and tattered walls. The air was filled with sawdust; a fan spinning fifteen feet above them seem to do little to make their living more comfortable. And what, you think it's so f...

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“Just Grin and Bear It” by M.E.L Millan

Submitted to Contest #157

Just grin and bear it, Leah commanded herself. Her fingers curled around the edge of the sink, slippery against her damp skin. White-knuckled, she glared at her reflection. Because you love him, you will grin and bear it. This. Isn’t. About. You. Leah inhaled sharply. “Just get over yourself already. You’re being ridiculous. He loves you. You know this. This isn’t going to change anything at all. Be happy for him.” She nodded firmly at her less than satisfied reflection and spun on her heel. And nearly collided with the smartly d...

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“Runaway” by Havana Summer

Submitted to Contest #157

My hands are shaking as I grip the candy wrapper. My hair covers the light as I try to read. I can’t let go now. Not when I’m so close. I stare at the numbers. They swirl together, and I’m not sure if it’s my own hesitation or the blurriness of clouds. Rain pelts my car windows and batters against buildings. I remember another night like this, when the moon glistened and then dimmed. Another night like this, where I felt the uncertainty of a decision I was about to make. Whatever, I’m done with living in this constant downpour of dr...

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$250

Prize money

185

Contest entries

88

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 05, 2022 EST

Won by Zack Powell 🏆

Title: Wish You Were Here

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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