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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

“Anonymous Artists ” by Kayla Wikaryasz

Submitted to Contest #237

Everest was named after a mountain, but had never climbed one. Her parents named her such, thinking that she would become a great climber of high altitudes, but to their dismay, she merely became a hopeless romantic with a great addiction for lovesickness. Everest got a degree in computer science, but made a living making commentary videos on pop culture. She didn’t really care about the things she talked about, but rather, she liked to argue and hear herself sound intelligent about things that didn’t require her to be technically learned a...

1 comment 1
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“Crossing Turtle Creek” by Timothy Rennels

Submitted to Contest #237

Crossing Turtle Creek  I watched the straw dust falling through the gaps in the ancient grey floorboards of the hayloft above. Aroused by our intent, motes of dust, illuminated by the full moon shining through the barn’s open window, jostled for a better position from which to watch. Chickens in their coops tucked their heads beneath their wings in false modesty. I brushed a lock of hair from her face, letting the moon bounce back from her widened eyes. Her electric eyes, neither green nor blue, spawned incandescent sparks deep wit...

6 comments 6
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“How to kiss a lesbian” by Andie R

Submitted to Contest #237

On Thursday I had a date. I spent the day oscillating between feeling excited, having dramatic thoughts like “This is the first day of the rest of my life,” and feeling terribly worried. I feared she had accepted my invitation because she’s a nice person and too polite to say no. That I would walk up to greet her and she would look around and say “Oh, where is everyone else?”.  In the afternoon I saw my therapist who gave the advice “Don’t overthink”. When I got home I sat in our kitchen nook with a bowl of popcorn and opened TikTok. ...

2 comments 2
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“Special” by Rachel P. Singleton

Submitted to Contest #237

She sits in the front of my deskIn the start of my freshman high school yearI never knew if she noticed meSo I sat quietly in fearI saw her walk in on her first dayShe didn't look me in the eyeBut I knew she was something specialAnd I had no idea whyWe passed each other in the hallsYour classic high school budding romanceI wish I could just talk to herBut I didn't want to blow my chanceI was enrolled in music classWhere I always played my guitarBut one day I had an ideaThe best one I'd had by farOne day in the school courtyardWhen just a few...

4 comments 4
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“Asteroid 325” by Lylian Xanakis

Submitted to Contest #237

Life has been meek here on Asteroid 325. Ever since my boy left, I’ve been worrying about him non-stop. Well, I’ve been worrying about my future and my chance of survival, more than anything. I have needs, you know? One cannot spend the whole day being pretty and smelling amazing without needing some pampering here and there. At first, the lack of his presence was not a reason for concern. After all, he did leave the screen for me to use at night. Those drafts are real killers. One quick breeze and BAM! Your petals wither, your thorns fall o...

2 comments 2
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“A Parting Kiss” by Kia Baptiste

Submitted to Contest #237

With timid steps she inched closer to her undoing, each footstep echoing the heavy burden of her heart. She had no idea what to say. She wasn’t even sure she was going the right way; her vision was blurred yet her body sensed his presence was near. Pulling her down the path to her final goodbye, her heart yearned to be with him one last time. Though her soul longed for him, her mind was conflicted. It was taking every ounce of love in her not to just turn away; but she needed to see him – she owed him that much. Yesterday everything was fin...

4 comments 4
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“Mrs. Crawford” by David Winfield

Submitted to Contest #237

I don't want to do this today. I should just keep driving to the coast–not tell anyone. Jim wouldn’t feed the cats, though. Dammit! He's so unreliable. I can't leave my babies in a lurch. Why did I choose a man-child? Damn my weakness for blue eyes and tight jeans.I pulled my Prius into the parking lot and took my usual spot near the back entrance, in the shade. It was 6:30 am, but it was already starting to get hot. Going to be a scorcher, I thought, as I pulled out my ID badge, swiped it, and pulled open the building door.“Good morning, An...

8 comments 8
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“When” by Shawna Burge

Submitted to Contest #237

WHEN Andy Pearson 2023© “When did you first fall for each other?” It’s the kind of question that gets asked with a tiny giggle. It gets asked at parties that guys don’t want to attend.   Parties where people are eating pretty food from real plates. I was thinking about how I might watch the baseball game on my phone at that kind of party without appearing like I was watching. Then it was quiet, and everyone was eyeing me.    Our host, Jennifer, smiled and asked the question again. “When...

6 comments 6
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“Custody Arrangements” by Brigitte Bennet

Submitted to Contest #237

Two very different women land their broomsticks in front of the very normal house. Each broomstick disappears into thin air as the women walk from their landing spots to meet in the open driveway.“What are you doing here, Ella?” says the taller of the two.“Collecting on a promise, although I wish I did not need to,” replies the one with the shorter hair.“Me too. I am sorry that we both have to take from them at once, it seems cruel.”“Such is the nature of a contract, as I’m sure you know too well.”Ella simply nods, and they walk to the door ...

4 comments 4
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“The Great Engagement” by DeSean Weems

Submitted to Contest #237

The date was officially January 1st, 2008. Right after the people on television yelled “Happy New Year!”, my boyfriend Stephen glanced at me. He looked into the open Bible and read the scripture about a man leaving his parents to become one with his wife. Truly oblivious to what was happening, my response was a simple amen.As he bent down, while pulling out a diamond ring, I went running from the kitchen to the bathroom. We had only started dating about eight months ago, so this couldn’t possibly be real. When I got back from my venture, the...

2 comments 2
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“For You” by J.B. Redel

Submitted to Contest #237

“Get down!”Seraphina dropped to the muddy forest floor before the last of Alistair’s warning rang out through the night air. A dull thud sounded above her; the shadow shrouded handle of a night blade embedded in the bark of the tree she had stood against only a moment before. The blade disappeared in a hiss of smoke as she shoved to her feet and lunged through the darkness in the direction of Alistair’s voice.“Over here!” As usual, he seemed to know her intentions. Somehow knowing he would be there, she extended her hand into the darkness ar...

1 comment 1
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“Beauty and a Beast” by PJ Town

Submitted to Contest #237

Once upon a time there were two kingdoms – or rather, a kingdom and a queendom – separated by a long river, called the Ibailuzea. Collectively, they despised each other with a vengeance and had been at war for centuries.For his part, King Zinikoa was quite happy that the war should continue indefinitely as it kept the peasant population down. There was nothing worse, in his mind, than to have to worry about the welfare of his subjects, so the fewer the better, as far as he was concerned … as long as enough remained to be called up to the arm...

16 comments 16
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“More Than Just Four Letters” by Melanie Yorke

Submitted to Contest #237

“I understand” he says and the worst part, the part that hurts the most, is that he does. He knows without me saying a single word about how important this is to me. How I have to go, have to do this, have to leave. All that is left now is to find out how to say goodbye.“It’s not forever” I say as I lean into his embrace, my cheek pressing against his chest. I close my eyes comforted by the warmth of his body radiating through the soft wool of his jumper, hearing his heart beat steadily and reassuringly. He kisses me on the top of my head. “...

4 comments 4
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“The Date” by Shannon Ambroson

Submitted to Contest #237

“I’m not swiping left or right or up or down on that thing,” Bettie told her friend, shoving the phone back at her. “Dating like that is ridiculous. No one wants to get to know each other or find something lasting. It’s all hookups and hangups.” Her friend Shay kept swiping through the app. “Guys are so self-serving,” she reiterated. “Look at that one, he’s sooooo perfect looking. I bet he really just wants someone to do his laundry and tell him he’s amazing.” She peeked at the screen as Shay swiped. Brenton. “What kind of a name is Brent...

6 comments 6
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“Oh,Linda” by Christine LW

Submitted to Contest #237

Linda Howlett, knew she was not the most attractive girl on the scene, She attended the local youth club to feel part of the scene. Linda had thick brown curly hair, that prefered to do its own thing ?Partularly when washed it become very frizzy. Recently Linda had started to wear mod clothes. Shorter skirts. Her legs were good, Problem being she had freckles on her face and proturding teeth. How she wished she was pretty like Jill and Sue. Vibrant with warm brown eyes like Viv who many "fellas fancied. It was the seventies, fella, being the...

0 comments 0
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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!

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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