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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#237: Sugar Rush

As a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays of the year, and it has been ever since I was young. I can still remember how excited I would get whenever I gave and received candy hearts in class: those heart-shaped chunks of sugar said so much in just a few letters, from cute little confessions to grand decorations of love.

As romance is in the air this month, let’s write some stories inspired by the following candy heart messages: “1 4 3,” “MARRY ME,” “DATE NIGHT,” “LET’S KISS,” and “EMAIL ME.” Whether you write something heart-wrenching and contemplative, or sappy and sweet, is up to you!

This week's prompts

Write a love story without using the word “love.”

Valentine's Day – 102 stories

Write about a successful marriage proposal, or one that goes horribly wrong.

Valentine's Day – 44 stories

Write about a cynical character who somehow ends up on a blind date.

Valentine's Day – 39 stories

Write a story about a first or last kiss.

Valentine's Day – 108 stories

Write a story about two people falling in love via email.

Valentine's Day – 32 stories

Stories

“If Life Gives You Plastic” by Kimberly Espeland

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #237

Kimberly Espeland A love story without using the word “love” If Life Gives You Plastic The day Brayden and his family left the Biodome, easing their boat down the ramp, through the airlock and into the water, it occurred to me: this was permanent. The small crowd seeing them off dispersed quickly, as if business could go on as usual. Mom patted Dad’s arm. Softly, she said, “It’s all for the best, and we really need to keep settling higher ground. We have to keep trying.” Dad pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes, then looked a...

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“Roméo and Yulia” by Anoush Hovnanian

Submitted to Contest #237

While there were always some faint sounds in the background as they were getting ready to air, they seemed much louder on that day, to the point where Hugo had to interrupt his reading. The music came on. Hugo looked at Sophie, who was organising the papers in front of her. They usually shared some kind of banter, but not this morning. As her hands started trembling, she put the papers back down. Hugo had not seen her in such a state since they had been sent together to Afghanistan. He wanted to say something reassuring to her, but there was...

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“Ring Me Up ” by Alexis Araneta

Submitted to Contest #237

Missed Connections London Facebook Group15 February 2024Post Number 1984:To the blue-eyed man in the lilac shirt at Rhodri's on the night of 10 February:Hello!Look, I’m not usually the type to do this. Before you walked into my life and changed the flow of my days with just a radiant smile, I would have looked at this page, sighed at all the syrupy confessions of deep longing and affection, and started being concerned for the safety of all who yearn to connect with a stranger, to all who dare shout into, well, a void. Now, look at me prattl...

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“Hearts Aflutter” by Kailani B.

Submitted to Contest #237

Crumbs fall at my feet. I peck at them, searching for the softer bits. It doesn’t taste right and I briskly wipe my beak on the ground. I strut off in search of other offerings, but so far only stale crumbs and rancid seeds litter the stony ground.Leaving the open area, I wander over the uneven grass, pecking at any potential spot. I only find seed shells and things that might have satisfied me, but are now covered in ants. I raise my beak at the uncivilized spectacle of the ants and take flight, landing on a cold, damp twig. I ruffle my fea...

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“Serendipity Calls ” by Kristi Gott

Submitted to Contest #237

On two different coasts, the warp and weft of the loom of destiny drew two threads together. A fortunate stroke of serendipity began to weave them into one fabric. Two lives, thousands of miles apart, became intertwined.In 1898, on the East Coast, Maryanne sat reading by kerosene lantern light in a house near the harbor. Three-masted schooners and steamships rested on the sheltered waters of her Atlantic Ocean seafaring community.The streets and busy shops were quiet in the evening's twilight. Horses pulling carriages passed occasionall...

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“Can't Help Falling in Mud” by Tom Skye

Submitted to Contest #237

This is Melissa; I'm out right now; please leave me a message… Beep.Hi there, Melissa. This is Daniel. You probably wouldn't believe it if you saw me, but I am walking down the street covered in mud. Let me explain. I had such a wonderful time with you this afternoon. I've not gelled with someone like that so quickly in forever. I guess you could say I've never been very lucky in finding a suitable partner. But the moment I laid eyes on you at the fitness club, it really was like being struck by lightning. I have never believed in falling fo...

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“Not Valentine’s Day” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #237

Dave’s ears were still ringing from the night before. He’d had less than four hours sleep after playing in his band and felt like death warmed up, but he knew once he’d showered, downed a strong coffee and eaten two slices of thickly buttered toast, he’d be alright.“Not too bad for forty-one!” Dave often conversed like this while studying his reflection in the hallway mirror. He tucked in his uniform. Other than a touch of bagginess under the eyes, his skin had remained smooth, and his thick brown hair was only just starting to recede. Any p...

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“Puppy Love” by Karen Hope

Submitted to Contest #237

To: Mr. Bradley TapperFrom: Lydia HanniganSubject: Beagle puppiesDate: Friday, February 9, 2024, 9:15 AMDear Mr. Tapper,I am writing in response to the beagle puppies you advertised. I know you said they would be perfect for a big family, but I live alone and have long wanted a pet in my life. My husband Howard passed away in September, and my kids, well, they’re all on their own now. But I raised three of them, plus dealt with their assortment of fish, turtles and guinea pigs over the years. I think I can handle a puppy. I have a dog park r...

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“The Inconvenience of Falling In Love” by Danielle LeBlanc

Submitted to Contest #237

It’s 1998 and I’m in grade eight. It’s kind of cool sounding if you ask me, how every year will match my grade up until I graduate. I’m just one semester away from diving head first into my freshman life. I already have an empty hot pink binder, ready to fill with that chapter of my journey. My cheeks get hot as I admit this, but I’ve also decorated it with stickers; peace signs, Ring Pops, shooting stars. I have a Lisa Simpson on there, too. I know it’s a cartoon, but my eyes turn into big, red balloon hearts whenever she plays the sax...

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“Believe It or Not” by Jonathan Page

Submitted to Contest #237

Ripley, man! People don’t know about Ripley. Robert Ripley. Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Spitting image of Elmer J. Fudd. Remember “Merrie Melodies?” Probably not, right? A doddering Elmer J. Fudd would say, over the radio, “I don’t believe it.” That’s how we felt about artificial intelligence for the longest time.Until we all fell in love with it. Then there was no talking to us. You can’t unbelieve in a thing. That’s a flaw of humanity. You know?Anyway, I believed I loved Katya. Even before it was on trend. I even believe she is a real girl...

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“Hello, Venus!” by Delbert Griffith

Submitted to Contest #237

Author’s note: the word “love” doesn’t appear in this tale, but there are several instances of the letters l-o-v-e in the tale, either within a word or within a combination of two words. The day began normally, but ended with three deaths, a minor rant, and a married couple reposing in a field of clover.Here’s how it all happened. &nbsp...

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“The Vase” by L J

Submitted to Contest #237

Then there's Mama. She was a cruel woman. Everyone got a slice of her tongue. She spoke few words but when she spoke, the words were fire and ice. Papa, the strongest man I have ever seen was weak and sad when he was with her. He couldn't stop the fire from her tongue. When she was finished, he would come out of her room with his head bowed and his knees shaking. I asked why he let her do that to him. All he could do was shake his head and say "I love her. She wasn't always that way." He'd pull out the wedding picture and cradle it in his ar...

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“Amigurumi” by Marty B

Submitted to Contest #237

The spindly shop reached up through the Lego block office buildings and crawling freeway ramps as if reaching for the sun, to escape from the street below. The plate glass front looked out with sad eyes on what had become of its home, doing all it could to grip the ground, to hang on and not be sucked up by the great maw of progress. This little building, a colorful grandma, held tight, though the rest of its neighboring shops had left, away from the dark shadows, and detritus of the street below.When it had been planted into this ferti...

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“Pillow Talk - Hot Legs Sandwich” by John Rutherford

Submitted to Contest #237

(Sexual content) “Move your leg slightly.” “Huh?” “Move your leg slightly, so I can put my feet between your legs, open them slightly, that’s it. Great!” “Huh?” “I need the warm bit, there. It’s like a hot legs sandwich, your legs are the bread, and my feet are the tasty filling inside. Much better than a hot water bottle. More cozy.” “Huh!” “You should be pleased that my sexy feet want to be in your leg sandwich, be grateful.” “Huh!” “Do you remember coming to bed? You were blotto, absolutely blotto last night!” “You sno...

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“The Russian Tongue” by Melissa Van Rensburg

Submitted to Contest #237

What if she didn’t like me in person? I kept pacing up and down the apartment, too nervous to sit still. Several hours remained; perhaps I ought to go for a walk? It should help to calm my nerves. “Can I please get a photo?)))” she messaged me. Russian-speakers tended to use brackets to indicate emotion via text — the more brackets, the more the person was smiling.She asked me to send her pictures multiple times a day, so I guess she must have liked how I looked well enough, and we certainly enjoyed each other’s company, electronic...

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$250

Prize money

324

Contest entries

133

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 16, 2024 EST

Won by Eliza Levin 🏆

Title: Love.edu: Courtship and Coincidence in Modern Academia

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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