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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#183: Opposite Day

January 25th was National Opposite Day — the day when topsy-turviness rules, and nothing is as it seems. On Opposite Day, you’re supposed to say the exact opposite of what you mean. And while this holiday is probably just one for kids, it’s a fun excuse to think about the ways we communicate, and about the concept of “opposites” more generally.

Opposites are a frequent source of inspiration for writing; whether your opposing forces provide balance, or are at odds with one another. With that in mind, this week’s prompts are all about obfuscation, contrast, and swapping between extremes.

This week's prompts

Write a story about someone who is cursed to always say the opposite of what they mean.

Dialogue – 26 stories

Write a story about two opposites finding themselves surprisingly attracted to one another.

Romance – 48 stories

Write about a character who uses sarcasm as a defense mechanism.

Character – 14 stories

Write a story that includes the line “We’re just too different.”

Angst – 67 stories

Write a story about two characters whose paths briefly cross, but are actually going in opposite directions — whether literally or figuratively.

Dramatic – 93 stories

Stories

“A Meeting of Minds” by Ron Davidson

Submitted to Contest #183

(T/W Sexual Content, Profanity)My eyelids weigh heavily as a talking head wearing a wrinkle-free pantsuit sits at the front end of the boardroom table, purging a steady stream of the industry’s latest buzzwords. I now secretly refer to this person as “The Head” to keep my relationship with her and her horrible business-minded enthusiasm as detached as possible. When her mantras are uttered, their motivational intents have the complete opposite effect on me. My anger builds, and I find myself sarcastically thi...

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“The Personal Assistant” by David B Fraser

Submitted to Contest #183

“Where is Sistra?” Jamieson said. Terrance was sure of the voice, but checked the name display on his cell phone anyway. “Her test came back positive. Why haven’t you been watching her?” “Mr. Jamieson, she sent me away when she finished at the recording studio two days ago.” “Rudy tells me she dropped by Armen’s party tonight. That was nine o’clock. He says she was having everything they were having. Why are you not at her side?” “Mr. Jamieson, I’m not her doctor, and I’m not...

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“Dick Woodcock” by Melissa Seely-Morgan

Submitted to Contest #183

Dick WoodcockRichard Woodcock, best known as "Dick", was an HIV+, Hep C+, IV drug abusing “frequent flier”. If you’ve worked the ED, you’ll recognize the term, but for those who haven’t, it’s a patient who’s a “habitual utilizer of emergency services”. I met Mr. Woodcock late one winter Saturday night when he was in “severe need of a belly tap” and “could barely breathe.” All the key phrases emergency docs use to convey this patient could in no way wait until Monday, no not even until the next morning.” This indeed was an urgent call. So, of...

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“My brother goose” by Johnny Fist

Submitted to Contest #183

In a small village, where people live calm, peaceful life, one farmer had a barn. Not big, but not small. He had cows, sheep, horses, chickens and geese, and some other animals, who spend their lives in the same way, as farmer did. Day was going after night, and night after day. But once happened one situation, that changed this peaceful way of living in the barn. One chicken gave a birth two living beings. As you can understand, they both hatched from eggs. And the thing is, that one of her children were a chicken and another one – goos...

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“Crickets” by Ben Lages

Submitted to Contest #183

"I think we should start seeing other people," said Jake. Megan paused the movie that they were half-watching. "What?" she asked firmly. "I think you and I should start meeting different people." "You want a divorce? After sixteen years? Are you fucking serious?" Jake's eyes widened with shock, but then his face relaxed, and he chuckled. "Oh, no, no! I'm sorry, honey. No, I meant our friends." "Our friends?" said Megan, her eyebrow cocked. "What are you on about?" "Well... I'm just going to say it. We need new friends." "What do you ...

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“Burning Stars” by Tay Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #183

“Sir! Sir! You might want to look at this…” “God what is it now-” My eyes become locked on the screen. I watch in anguish as the heroes un-do all our–no my hard work. “Send someone to fix it.” I push the device back into Dimitri’s hands. “Sir, I-” “What?” I hiss through my teeth. Dimitri pauses, lifting the tablet to hide his face. “Out with it!” I shouted. “Well, sir… Uh, we did send someone to fix it, and um,” Dimitri plays with the device before turning the screen to my range of vision. “The heroes ...

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“An Eternity With You” by Karley Greene

Submitted to Contest #183

How could you not think it’s beautiful? The afternoon sun reflecting off the pale stone walls. Although, it was probably a little too bright for your bleak blue eyes. How did you not think it was beautiful? Everyday you walked through the courtyard where the sounds of voices danced and bounced off the walls. Everyday your feet stepped on these slick, smooth stones. How were you not enthralled by the galaxy encapsulated by each stepping stone? After every long night, you stepped into the old creaky elevator. How were you not comforted by the ...

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“‘We ARE just too different,’” by Naalaa Ishan Saeed

Submitted to Contest #183

A tingling sensation bubbled up inside me. My heart pounded against my chest like a sea of rocky waves crashing against a cliff. I could not show any emotion, there were too many tossing around my stomach like butterflies. My eyes widened and my peeling lips stretched into a hearty smile. My strawberry blonde hair blew onto my face. The abrupt rush of cold wind slammed onto my reddened cheeks, and my scarf fluttered in the breeze. Standing a mere few feet away from me was the very quixotic yet exhilarating dream of my lifetime, wrapp...

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“Opposition” by Lawrence W Allhands

Submitted to Contest #183

The dust from the rocket explosions swirled around Sergeant Jack Calloway as he crouched for cover behind a crumbling wall in the middle of the town square. Clutching his M-4 rifle tightly, sweat pouring down his face, stinging his eyes, he scanned the area for any signs of the enemy.The sound of distant gunfire filled the air, sending a chill down Jack's spine. He had been in Iraq for months now, and the constant violence had taken its toll on him. Separated from his unit, his radio damaged during the last enemy engagement, and alone, his t...

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“When Life's Direction is Determined by Others” by JOHN SIKO

Submitted to Contest #183

In the back of the duce and a half, mud-covered truck sat twelve members of Able company of the Third Infantry Division. They are tired, dirty, hungry, and need a shower. One of the tired and dirty GIs is Stanley Dombrowski, a draftee from the south side of Chicago. This group is returning from a ten-day skirmish with Charlie in a delta rice patty. Stan is not only returning from the battle but is returning from his yearlong tour of duty in Nam. He had just survived the last of what had been many such battles in the past year. Lying in leech...

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“Art Thou Romeo?” by David B Fraser

Submitted to Contest #183

“Where’s Juliet?” “Ricardo, we told you, she’s not coming to Tuesday rehearsals, she has dance class.” “How is she going to keep up?” The Director bit his tongue. Benvolio laughed from offstage. Mercutio laughed from the front row, leaning back, and looking around for others to laugh with him. The Producer and the wardrobe lady were shaking hands and talking to someone at the back of the seats where the Director’s table was. The Director came down, and stepped up onto ...

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“Mission Accomplished” by Erica Dorsey

Submitted to Contest #183

It was a dark and stormy night—- well, it wasn’t a dark and stormy night. It was quite a regular night if one is being honest— but saying it’s dark and stormy makes for a better story most of the time. If one is telling the truth—- this is not a dramatic story. This is the most boring story in the history of boring stories. This story truly starts in the ice cream aisle of a grocery aisle. It’s not a special grocery story– it’s just one of those quirky mom-and-pop grocery stores that you can find in most small towns. The kind of grocery stor...

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“Watercolor Destiny” by Gigi Parker

Submitted to Contest #183

Fin shook off his umbrella and stepped onto the bus. A quick look around showed him the rain had made the bus a bit overcrowded. Well then he thought, guess I'm not sitting alone today. He took a seat next to a young man about his age who was listening to headphones staring out at the rain. The man looked at him briefly, moving his bag slightly to make a little more room for him. Fin nodded slightly as thanks. The bus soon came ...

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“The Deer” by Ben Lages

Submitted to Contest #183

Content Warning: This story contains physical violence and briefly alludes to mental health problems. Renee Waverly was born to the Creek City Reaper on a rainy May afternoon in 1968. While her mother, June, lay unconscious in her bed, which was now stained at least five different shades of red, he stood just outside the nursery, staring in at his newborn daughter without a sound. His face was utterly flat, and he stood so still that he was less a man and more a fixture among the many others which line...

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“Joy and Sorrow” by Kristine Bone

Submitted to Contest #183

Joy and Sorrow The young woman across the aisle from me on this fast-moving locomotive was pale and appeared sorrowful. Her long, black dress and tearful eyes reminded me of a lost puppy, unable to find its home, whimpering and pathetic. I desired to ask her if I could be of assistance in some way - that worrisome was her appearance. Although I should have chosen to mind my own business, I could not help but notice the tears she occasionally dabbed from her pale cheeks, the sniffles that came before she withdrew the delicate handkerchief an...

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$250

Prize money

248

Contest entries

125

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 03, 2023 EST

Won by Laurel Hanson 🏆

Title: Of Harpers and Heroes

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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