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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

“Perfect’s an Ideal” by C.N. Jung

Submitted to Contest #237

“It has to be perfect, Mick. Absolutely perfect!”“Perfect’s an ideal. You’ll never quite get there, man.”Stevie shoot a look at his pal. Mick leaned casually against the doorframe that entered into Stevie’s hotel room, the very picture of chill, as unfazed as one could be.“Cut me some slack on the deep thoughts, Mick. Not now.” Stevie took in a lungful of the salty air. “Tomorrow's gotta go off without a hitch. I’ve poured my heart into getting every detail right for months.” He swiveled around to drink in the view in front of them—a sprawli...

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“No Beds” by Morgan Aloia

Submitted to Contest #237

There were no beds, outside of Peyr. Not as far as Jagos knew, at least. He and Mirdel slept on planks hoisted up into low marshland trees, for as long as the boughs would hold them. When they were intimate it was standing calf-deep in mud more often than not. They’d lean against their slobsled, the one that Mirdel had stolen and piled everything they owned onto, and they’d take each other rough.That’s what made this such a treat, rolling around in feather-filled luxury. It wasn’t even a particularly nice mattress, frayed and clumpy, bu...

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“Loins-A-Leaping: An A.I. Chatt Novel of Ostensibly Paranormal Mystery as by Anita Brake, AKA J.D. Robbed, with Martin Ross in Smaller Type ” by Martin Ross

Submitted to Contest #237

PrologueAn Italian VillaItalyHer tiramisu now a decadent constellation of espresso-soaked crumbs across a vast nine-inch expanse of luxuriant eggshell Milanese Corel, the tip of her newly Botoxed tongue delicately savored the exclusive nespresso the Giardino Degli Ulivi shipped in daily from the Cluni di Vito Valley. She could be forgiven her cosmic meanderings – the renowned Dr. Tyson had addressed the conference this morning, and the former boxer and honorary doctorate in pugilistic romance had closed his keynote with a random prose recita...

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“The Love Machine” by Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #237

The Love Machine “What we have here is failure to communicate.” -The Captain, Cool Hand Luke Christian couldn’t communicate his feelings to Roxanne. John Alden wasn’t ...

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“Unromantic Overtures” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #237

It is said that to be truly happy, one needs someone to love, something worthwhile to do, and something to hope for.Someone to love. Check. My sonSomething worthwhile to do. Check. Nothing more rewarding than bringing up my son.Something to hope for. Check. Hope springs eternal. My son has ADHD, diagnosed at age 5. He survived early childhood. He could still end up dead by accident, or at my exasperated hands, or turn out to be a delinquent who ends up in prison, like his father.My friend, Analiese, came over when we first moved to her city ...

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“I'm Not In...” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #237

There are some things that are not for the likes of us, and we live our lives accordingly. It pays not to get your hopes up. It certainly pays to remember the lines that should not be crossed. Even better, we build walls on the borders, walls that go so high there is no danger of catching a foolish glimpse of emerald grass that seduces and beckons. Who really needs that grass anyway? What is this obsession with finely manicured lawns? There’s more to life than that. Besides, it’s all very well acquiring a pristine lawn, but keeping it that w...

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“Love Judith” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #237

Detective Womack had a sharp eye for detail after twenty plus years in the Homicide Unit in Baltimore. Once the home of Edgar Allan Poe, the original literary creepster, his mind was on the newest homicide case as the forensic team took pictures of the murder scene. He put his hand to chin that had doubled over the past decade as he lived on a carbohydrate diet of doughnuts and bread. “Another lonely hearts email club.” He shook his head. “Hard to believe who was who.” Officer Ronwick examined the desk of the victim while wearing hi...

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“To Be Understood” by Liz Grosul

Submitted to Contest #237

Years later, I consider myself understood. Raw, unpurged; mapped in earnest fingertips. You went off to Chicago because you were always made for it. I stayed in New York, reaching for what you already had in the palm of your hand like a precocious stalk stretching from the dirt. Radio silence between us where harmony once swept. Still I beg for how rare it was. When we were young we had nothing but philosophers and parents telling us who to be and where to look. Even so, we looked at each other and then, in sour defeat, looked away. Sc...

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“Lost & Found ” by Clara 'CC' Carlyle

Submitted to Contest #237

" Dad, can you pick me up? I don't feel good. My heart hurts."" Honey, you only have two hours remaining, be strong, I know you can do it."" But my teacher was mean to me and now I'm sad."" I can't pick you up again today. You need to put your big girl panties on and soldier on."" Also, Dad, I lost my Hello Kitty backpack."After I pushed 'end call'; I opened Google, " How do you send an email to county jail?" I want to love someone, someone who will love me and take care of me. I want to sing duets with Denis- he can sing the John Travolta p...

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“Version 1.4.3” by Brianna J. Gonzalez

Submitted to Contest #237

“Good morning, version 1.4.3.” “I know you’re passionate about your work, Iris. But, you realize it’s kinda creepy when you start talking to code, right?” His warm, teasing voice sends a jolt of electricity through her. Iris can’t stop the corners of her lips from turning up in a grin. “Good morning to you, too, Ian.” “One day, I’m gonna earn the first ‘good morning’ of your day.” Sunlight is just beginning to spill through the wide office window when Iris turns from her computer screen to focus on him. “So sorr...

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“Meeting for the First Time Twice” by Tracy Phillips

Submitted to Contest #237

She would buy herself a potbellied pig; it would be hypoallergenic, not prone to disease, intelligent, affectionate, and easily housebroken. Faye Rain had done her homework and found this information easily online. She had been feeling a bit lonely after moving into the little cottage her parents left her, not that she would admit this to anyone. Living away from the hubbub was ideal yet something was missing, and she was pretty sure that something was a little baby potbelly pig. Faye’s next step was to find a reputable breeder that was n...

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“Office Connections” by Defaulty Noah

Submitted to Contest #237

Subject: Concerns About Project Progress and Project Readiness From: Sarah sarah.writes@gmail.com To: Mark mark.workmate@yahoo.com Hey Mark, I hope this email finds you well. I just wanted to check in regarding the project's progress. I noticed a few areas in your last report that might need some attention before we finalize everything. Let's sync up soon to ensure we're on track and avoid any potential issues down the line. Your insights and collaboration are valuable as we move forward with this project. Let's connect soon to discuss ...

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“Crickets” by Bethany Lobberecht

Submitted to Contest #237

My dreams are filled with the sound of crickets. Then my eyes open and the sound evaporates, replaced by the hum of silence. My eyelids feel crusty. An ache is already twisting into form in my joints. My knees are stiff, and I have to bend them a bit to work them up to standing. I’m not twenty anymore. There’s no denying it. I stand and ...

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“The Shift” by Fola C

Submitted to Contest #237

Was that blood? Everyone in the crowd had stopped cheering for the match. Joshua was on the floor, his face looked like something was wrong. Her son didn’t look like himself. There was an audible gasp in the stands. His teammates rushed towards him. Marcus was beckoning the coach to come. Her son’s best friend seemed frantic. Ada felt like her breath was starting to simmer. Her son didn’t look like himself. Her strong boy was in pain. “Coach! We need a medic!” Marcus screamed now. The coach came closer and when he saw Jos...

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“Snow” by Marina Nugent

Submitted to Contest #237

It’s morning. My alarm blares through the dark room as I cover my head with my pillow in seek of some solace. The alarm suddenly stops and I’m allowed to breathe again. The pillow is lifted off my head and a familiar hand brushes my messy hair out of my face. “It’s time to wake up” he says. I groan and hide under the covers, hoping if he doesn’t see me, he’ll forget I’m here. The covers are lifted off of me and I’m exposed to the cold air of the room. “Ugh why is it so cold” I mutter as I sit up and reach for the covers once again. His hand ...

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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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