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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#22: Auld Lang Syne

From the Times Square Ball drop to the old Spanish tradition of trying to fit 12 grapes into your mouth at midnight — New Year's Eve comes with a host of different rituals and traditions.

Maybe a new one of yours will be submitting a New Year's-themed story to the Reedsy Prompts contest? 😊 In which case, we don't want to keep you any longer! So...

10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1... write! And have yourself a Happy New Year.

This week's prompts

Write a short story about a person who goes to bed on Valentine's Day and wakes up in 1920.

Holiday – 41 stories

Write a short story about someone with unconventional New Year's traditions.

Holiday – 44 stories

Two strangers meet at a New Year's Eve party. They spend the party together, and then never see each other again.

Winter – 79 stories

Write a short story in which the last line is the countdown to midnight on New Year's Eve.

Winter – 97 stories

Write a short story about someone who does not spend December 31st celebrating New Year's Eve.

Winter – 77 stories

Stories

“David and Tina -Suddenly a promised fulfilled” by Tina Bowles

Submitted to Contest #22

“Oh my gosh. David! Is that you?” I had not seen David in nearly 20 years. We met when we were 8. I always had the biggest crush on him but he never had the time of day for me. When he moved to Arizona when we were 14 years old I thought my life was over. And I thought I’d never see him again. Who thought I would see him at a New Years Eve party for singles on 12/31/19 - but here he was. I just couldn’t believe it. When we saw each other is was like there wasn’t a day missing in the past 20 years.&nbs...

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“Countdown Surprise” by Linda Juliano

Submitted to Contest #22

Dalia freezes mid-step when David walks through the door. Her heart pounds in her throat so violently she can’t swallow. The New Year’s party at the Chelsea’s mansion is in full swing, everyone singing, dancing and laughing, drunk on free-flowing champagne and their hopes for what the new year will bring. Dalia wrings her hands together, hearing only the pounding of her heart between her ears. David stands in the archway, hands buried in the pockets of his tuxedo pants, surveying the room when his gaze lands on Dalia. He glides toward her, h...

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“Steal Me Away” by Trenea House

Submitted to Contest #22

Kaitee rolled her eyes as she grew tired of listening to Candy telling a story to their three friends that Kaitee had already heard before. “So I said,” Candy continued, “ ‘The C.C. stands for Coco Chanel and D and G stands for Dolce and Gabbana.’ She asks, ‘Well, what stands for Michael Kors?’ and I said, ‘L.O.O.N.’” The girls laughed while Kaitee chuckled with no enthusiasm. She always did after hearing the sam...

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“Auld Lang Sine” by James Mongold

Submitted to Contest #22

On a quiet evening, in a sleepy town, tucked away in a forgotten part of rural Ohio, there stood a building. Within the building, there existed a quiet little bar. Sitting alone at the bar, slowly swirling a drink in his hand, was an old man. This man was once well known in his younger years, having served in the army and returned unscathed when so many others had not. He was hailed a hero in those days, a sterling example of American military pride. This man, Harold Wolfwitz, now quietly stared at the dark amber liquid within his glass as i...

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“The New Year's Eve Ball ” by Lynn Rowe

Submitted to Contest #22

Heels,make up, and a beautiful dress I am getting ready for the dance tonight. Tonight is the New Year's Eve Ball at The Grand Villa hotel and suites in the ballroom. I guess I should introduce myself Hi my name is Blair Rose Gregory and I am 25 years old. My best friend Sophie Jones and I have been friends since grade nine of high school. She said that going to a Ball was on her bucket list. So we both decided to go to a Ball for the first time. She also said that there are new guys who...

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“Count Me Down” by Johanna Leo

Submitted to Contest #22

A shiver ran through Bianca’s spine.Through her window, she could see the blanket of snow and how it tucked the concrete floor. The sunrise was creeping behind the buildings, announcing the beginning of the last day of the year.Leaving her bed and stepping into the cold was less of a hassle than it was most winter days, the promise of her first time watching the ball drop pulling her up and into the day. She looked at herself in the bathroom mirror, flushed cheeks from the cold in her porcelain skin. Amid her excitement, there was a sli...

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“Happy New Year's” by Alondra May

Submitted to Contest #22

Happy New Year She entered the lobby and looked out the door. It had just started raining. Raining in December? No snow, no sleet, just rain. It was just cold enough that it might turn to ice. Some people thought rain was good luck, that it meant a fresh start and growth and whatnot. Jess had never been one of those people. Rain meant she would get wet and the roads would be dangerous. She glanced at her wrist, at the analog watch. ...

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““Sorry.” “Happy New Year!”” by Bella Llanes

Submitted to Contest #22

“10… 9… 8…” “I just don’t get you anymore.” “What? What the hell is that supposed to mean?” “7… 6… 5... “ “Oh, come on Alyssa. Don’t act like you don’t understand,” “4… 3… 2…” “I can’t believe you right now, Katie.” “Sorry.” “Happy New Year!” It wasn’t really my idea to have a new year’s eve party, that was all Alyssa’s work. Though I suppose I can’t say I didn’t support her, I’ve always had a bad habit of bending under the slightest pressure, whether from my girlfriend or anyone else. “Come on Katie, keep up, we need to finish cooking by se...

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“Forever's Child” by Jasmine Fire

Submitted to Contest #22

A piercing sound startled her awake. Bellanova glanced at her clock and saw it was an hour before midnight. Up the stairs, sleep walked with her cautiously. She heard her mother’s soft sobs before she got to the double glass doors. She was at eye level with the low slit in the door. A vase lay shattered on their oak floor. The stargazers were strewn wildly about. She inhaled sharply as fear snatched sleep away. Her father’s hands were squeezing her mother’s neck. “My love,” his voice was sound wrapped in velvet.&nbsp...

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“Nectar” by Jess Wood

Submitted to Contest #22

I hate New Years Eve. I hate the crowds and the noise and the pretending everything will be different next year just because one number has changed in the date my laptop displays at me every day. It’s a lie. Nothing is going to miraculously transform me between now and midnight that will suddenly make next year worth living. And here I am, in the worst place I can imagine on the busiest day of the year: London. People are yelling and jostling as I try to push through the throngs. Such proximity and effort is stifling and I can feel the sweat...

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“The Window” by M. Youngblood

Submitted to Contest #22

It was cold. Far below freezing. It was much colder this year than last, and although most people were unaware, it was colder than it had ever been in the city of Marion, Massachusetts. Known only to a handful of individuals, there was a place in Washburn park right in between two spindly branches of a grey birch where the spiders loved to make their homes. This time of year, after the first few rushes of heavy rains and snows had fallen on the town, the spider’s webs were decorated with frozen dewdrops. Perfect miniature ornamentation that ...

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“Doves in Snow” by Brittany Alva

Submitted to Contest #22

My cheeks burn as the frigid air slices through them, making me even more vulnerable than I already feel. The walkway was covered with snow, taunting me as I desperately look around, but I don’t know the path as well as I should. No one was here to help.December 31st. Two years ago, we would’ve been celebrating this day with tequila shots and drunken kisses at midnight. We would’ve danced, and laughed, and worn matching outfits that cost too much money, but was justified by the love we shared once they were off.Trying to loosen the flask fro...

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“The Heroine and Heroin” by Katie Silverwolff

Submitted to Contest #22

A man hunched over in the darkness, balancing his hand on a park bench to keep from falling over as he vomited. His outline glowed under the pale street light, he was so skinny. He wiped off his mouth and took a swig of whatever was in his flask to wash down the taste. I stood a few yards behind him and refastened my gloves. The wind was cold and ruthless and broke through my skin in little bursts through the tiny hole in the back of my jacket. That’s what I get for buying a jacket from a thrift store. I wondered if he was cold… It was New Y...

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“Old Year's Helm” by Seth Bonty

Submitted to Contest #22

As I sit here, nursing the same drink I made for myself two hours ago, I look at the watch on my wrist. 11:27 P.M. it blinks back at me, confirming what I already know. "I'm never going to get this done." I say, not to anyone in particular. I stand up and walk to the window. As I open it, the cold air stings my face. I look out over the street below me and can't help but feel a sickness in my stomach. It's always like this. I can feel it coming as its happened so many times before. As I hear the screams from behind and below me, the cold air...

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“That Was Yesterday; We Still Have Today and All of Our Tomorrows” by Dana Smith

Submitted to Contest #22

The plan for New Year’s Eve was to have a girls' night with my best friend Alina, either in my condo or her apartment, since we have both been going through some stuff, but it appeared that the man upstairs had another plan. I had to run a laptop to my cousin Heidi, at the Sheriff’s Department. Apparently the laptop had been used to stalk and track the whereabouts of Alina, who had become the unexpected victim of domestic violence. She received it as a gift from someone she considered a friend, but the guy wanted more and she kept tell...

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$50

Prize money

338

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 03, 2020 EST

Won by Emily Hemmings 🏆

Title: Pagliacci on the Q Train

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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