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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

“The Encounter” by Krisha Perkins

Submitted to Contest #22

“Who are you?” I wondered aloud.He wouldn’t tell me. He hadn’t directly answered a question once tonight. I followed him to the kitchen; he made himself another drink.“So, you were saying?” he said, in that sardonic tone he seemed to reserve only for me.“Oh, right? What are you doing here? This is my party; I don’t remember inviting you,” I said with only a hint of malice.He leaned back on the counter, sipped his whiskey, and replied, “Does it matter what I’m doing? Aren’t you having fun?”His response catered to my less than ration...

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“Serendipity ” by A. L. V.

Submitted to Contest #22

With the night brings the stars.Even though I was indoors, inside a glass elevator, I knew that the brightest star was watching me. That She was watching me.And She knew exactly what I was doing.The elevator made a graceful halt at the top of the building, the roof. Me, Amber, and Samantha filed out, the three of us dressed up for this party.Amber came from a wealthy family with many connections, and was invited to a New Years Eve party, and was also allowed to bring two friends. Samantha was an obvious choice, but instead of bringing Victor...

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“Beginnings” by Amanda Mnguni

Submitted to Contest #22

Beginnings(Narrated)His powerful scents dragged every girl to look at his way, such a handsome man he was. He seriously made his way to the bar settling on the high chair there. The bartender looked at him as he got hold of his phone slowly looking up."What can I get you sir?"The bartender softly asked the powerful Greek God, many have already given him the name. Snorts"No, nothing"His thick voice maintained so much authority. This was a new year party yet it felt like 'just any ordinary party'-where you have to order a drink,but what c...

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“Rebecca's Resolution” by Roman Howell

Submitted to Contest #22

Rebecca's ResolutionBy: Roman G. HowellTwenty-two more minutes. Only twenty-two more minutes left in the year and his father couldn’t be there for them. Jacob slumped in his chair, rolling his empty champagne flute glass between his fingers. The still unopened champagne bottle waited on the coffee table. The night had started with such promise. His father had made an extra effort to have all of his year-end responsibilities for the company tied up so the two could do the countdown together. However, like every other holiday, something came o...

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“The New Year's Eve Party” by Lou Marie

Submitted to Contest #22

House parties were always a drag, but Jackson always got forced into going to one. It was December 31, New Year’s Eve, the day that Jackson hated the most out of every year. To him, New Year’s Eve was just an excuse for everyone to get blackout drunk, makeout excessively, and set goals that would probably never happen. There was no real point to New Year’s Eve, yet he always found himself in the same situation every year. At a house party sitting on the couch with a glass full of wine, watching sweaty bodies dance like their life depend...

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“A midnight conversation ” by Tessa Gray

Submitted to Contest #22

A midnight conversation It was almost midnight when the call came. Like many others on this particular evening, Frank was still awake. Unlike most people however, it was not a view of Times Square that captivated his attention. Instead, he sat gazing intently at his cellphone, as though he could will it into making a sound. When it finally did, he pressed the accept button before it had finished it’s first ring. “It’s done?” he inquired by way of greeting. “What do you think? You know I don’t make mistakes.” The wo...

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“Me Time ” by Meryem Biyikli

Submitted to Contest #22

Reading my favorite book for probably the twentieth time, stopping once in a while to think about it while also taking a sip of my huge cup of hot chocolate. Just the way I want to spend the night of my 28th birthday. Fun fact: Tonight also just happens to be New Year’s Eve. What a great birthday to have, I guess. The only problem is that it can get kind of loud, with all the parties and fireworks and stuff. And if there is one thing people know about me, it is that I absolutely adore and need my alone and quiet time. That is why on my birt...

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“Fireworks and Wine” by Jeanne Lejeune

Submitted to Contest #22

“Alright, looking at the evidence, this street should be the next target.” Muffled bass thumps down the street from the two parties sparked by the prospect of New Year’s Eve. Outside, a small compact Fiat 500 is parked on the sidewalk, inside it sit two men tensely enjoying cups of coffee; police detective John Taylor and private investigator Shawn Walsh. “Yeah, I know. Every four weeks the Blue Man hits a house a mile down that magic line of yours.” Taylor rolls down the window a crack. “Are you sure this is the right street though? I don’t...

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“The Disaster that turned into a Decision ” by Katherine Becker

Submitted to Contest #22

I’m zooming down the freeway, in the middle of a snowstorm, already late for my sister’s New Year’s Eve party. We are ten miles away when I hit an ice patch, with my left tire while realizing I'm drifting to the left in the first place. We slide off the road, flipping into a small ditch. When the car is steady, I look over to Maya in the passenger seat in panic. Questions and outright statements go through my mind. Are you hurt? Can you call the police? Is your phone charged? I’m scared. Panting, Maya is looking at me in terror while she say...

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“Perched On Cupid's Trigger” by Scott Clarke

Submitted to Contest #22

“Hey, Dylan! Sarah! So glad you could make it! Go ‘head and grab a beer from the -,” the young man’s pleasantries were cut short by the unfamiliar face standing like a mannequin behind the party guests, “Hey, what’s up? You come here with Dylan?”“Yes. Yeah - *ahem* yeah that’s me,” He responded quickly and without fully hearing the question. “Alright cool, cool. Well come on in, man, we’re just getting started.”“Yes, perfect,” The mannequin man said and made way for an entirely uncomfortable silence. “May I also grab a beer?”“Uh, yeah. ...

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“All that matters” by Arohi Parikh

Submitted to Contest #22

Gold colored hoops dangled from my ear and I went to look in the mirror once more. My dress was a short and strapless shimmery blue, silver heels adorning my feet. I brushed my hair once more, knowing it could not possibly get straighter. It had grown longer now, up to my belly button, and looked like the deepest, darkest shade of brown. I realised the gold didn’t match with the dress, or maybe it was the heels, and sat on my bed to reconsider the accessories. It was 7:42: almost time to leave. My diary lay on the bed, and I brushed my finge...

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“MacLunkey” by Mike Garrigan

Submitted to Contest #22

“What do you want to do for New Year’s, Ollie?” Sara said.“I don’t celebrate New Year’s, love,” Oliver said as he flipped the end of his silver cufflink. “Really? Why not?”“It’s all silliness if you ask me,” Oliver said. “I think it’s kind of fun. You get together with your friends, have a few drinks, and do the big countdown. How’s that silly?” Sara said.“People drink way too much on New Year’s. Alcohol related automobile accidents increase by over 70% between six and midnight on New Year’s Eve. You’re asking for trouble if you’re...

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“Happy New Year” by Bridgette Portman

Submitted to Contest #22

Civic Square. 12:00 a.m. Happy New Year.Blood-red ink. No signature. Fingerprints wiped clean.Officer Elsa Siward closes her eyes and sees the message etched behind them. She’s the only one taking the threat seriously. The rest think it’s a prank, a bluff, a waste of time. Or maybe they just don’t want to work on New Year’s Eve.Siward has a feeling about it, though. And she’s been on the job long enough to know she should trust her feelings.She takes a mental inventory of the town square. Women shivering in short dresses, crimson li...

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“Another sad year.” by Nermine Ben Hammadi

Submitted to Contest #22

Somewhere in our huge world, lived a twenty year old girl named Megan.What comes to mind when people think about twenty year olds is, partying, going to college, young love, living life to the fullest… But unfortunately Megan's life was nothing like that.When she was just 18 years old, she lost her precious mother to cancer..Ever since that devastating and shattering tragedy happened, Megan's life changed forever. Or better said, she stopped having a life at all.Her life came crawling down around her and everything was spiraling out of contr...

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“New Years I was Truly Alone” by Joanne Phanh

Submitted to Contest #22

It was 1980. We had yet another perfect New Year’s Eve. Sam picked me up at the front door. He came inside to greet my parents as usual. After Sam helped me on with my winter coat we said good evening to my parents and headed to the car. The gentleman he is, Sam opened the door and closed it after I was seated. He drove us to La Blanc, the ritziest place in town. Sam said he had 8 o'clock reservations. Sam was always punctual. We parked. Sam opened my car door and h...

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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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