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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#33: Bad Hair Day

The best stories are the ones that make us feel something; the ones that tap into some kind of universal emotion or experience. And there is one feeling that stands out as being particularly universal. More than joy, sadness, fear, or love. More than the excited nerves of a first day at school, or the sweet relief of a spring breeze after a long winter. Something that connects us all is the feeling of... a bad haircut.

This week, your challenge is to write a story that evokes the feelings of a bad hair cut. (Whether or not your story involves this actual plot is up to you!)

This week's prompts

Write a story about a character who can't make up their mind about something.

Character – 64 stories

Write a story about a character who's too polite to tell someone they don't like a gift given to them.

Funny – 49 stories

Write a story about a character making a big change.

Teens – 65 stories

Write a story set in a salon or barbershop.

Fiction – 70 stories

Write a story about miscommunication.

Fiction – 48 stories

Stories

“The Power of Resolutions.” by Tom Kottackal

Submitted to Contest #33

This story ‘The Power of Resolution’ is based on the third prompt “ Write a story about a character making a big change.” The Power of Resolutions. By Tom Kottackal.Alex is a fourteen-year-old boy studying in Standard VIII. He was a hyperacti...

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“I won't be silenced anymore...” by Ragini Das

Submitted to Contest #33

It was a white ventilated room where a mild quota of fresh air was hitting from the open window at the end of the room, the room consists of many wires, equalizers, mics, lights and there were wooden bookshelves at one corner which smelled as the pixies of knowledge all kept together amid an abundance of the crowd. The new books were kept rested on the edge of the panel. The lights were bright as a beaming sun, chatterings were getting loud from the audience side, a mic testing was done by counting a one, two, three for the panel discussion ...

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“Don't Judge a Book by its Cover Kids” by Blane Britt

Submitted to Contest #33

Don't Judge a Book by its Cover Kids I met Mr. Grapes an anomic individual (a state or condition of individuals or society characterized by a breakdown or absence of social norms and values, as in the case of uprooted people), when I was around ten years old and he changed my young life completely. I had skipped school or as they used to say, I played hooky from school. Far beyond my house was a paper recycling plant where Mr. Grapes happily resided. On the outside above his doorless frame a sign that read: Trespassers will cause m...

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“Between Subtle Shading and the Absence of Light” by Karen McDermott

Submitted to Contest #33

Most people didn’t react to the three inch scar on her arm; the little white smile. They knew better not to ask, or found sufficient distraction in Edie’s other features – the spiked blonde hair, hazel eyes that shone yellow in the sun, the dimples piercing her cheeks, her throaty laugh. One day, however, a family member in possession of a good many things but tact not being one of them, asked outright during a family dinner.“So, Edie. I noticed that scar on your a...

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“Not So Bad, After All.” by Aisha Hashmi

Submitted to Contest #33

Wow. How could it possibly be that my hair's such a disappointment? I am at the salon, staring into the mirror in front of me, apron wrapped around my neck, waiting as the stylist slightly wets my hair and combs out my curls. I am silent, staring into my own eyes. I'm about to cry. I truly hate my hair. I can still recall the first time I was actually aware of looks and saw myself in a mirror; actually registering and analyzing my own looks. Horrified is one word to describe how I felt. I thought ...

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“Hairy Kari’s Bad Hair Day” by AL Paradiso

Submitted to Contest #33

[All 5 prompts included, 2916 words] “What a wonderful birthday gift! A hair stylist appointment with hard to get Andre, and spa day including sauna, full body massage, and a hot mud bath — not in that order, I hope. Thank you so much, my love. I can’t wait.” Well! If he didn’t like my hip-long hair, he could have just told me. And a massage plus the stylist? Did he forget I don’t like strangers touching me? What’s wrong with him? I suppose it was a sweet gesture and I shouldn’t be too hard on him. I hope she loves how thoughtful that is. ...

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“When Push Comes to Shove” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #33

When he was a little boy, Eric had had a neighbour who used to say, “He changes his mind more often than he changes his shirt” about someone who dithered and vacillated. Well, that certainly sprung to mind when it came to Bobby Millican, one of their regulars – and he gave new meaning to the word “regular” - at Hairs and Graces. Mind you, on second thoughts perhaps it didn’t apply, as Bobby had a vert impressive collection of shirts, too, and as Eric’s colleague Louis observed, he most certainly didn’t...

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“In Search of Hair” by Seolin Jung

Submitted to Contest #33

Asher shook the purple wig in the young employee’s face. “Is this the cheapest one you’ve got?”“I told you the answer. You’ve been here for three hours. You’re disturbing other customers.”Asher turned back to look at the empty store. “What customers?”His face turned red. “Listen, I’m going to have to ask you to leave, ma’am.”“Fine.” Asher threw the wig onto the floor. It flopped wistfully before settling down. The employee made a little gasp. She marched down the aisle and out of the store, frantically adjusting her even cheaper, fake plasti...

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“The Soliciter” by Sheila Roach

Submitted to Contest #33

It was a hot day on the Gold Coast in Queensland.Surfers Paradise shimmered in the heat and Al the bloke on the beach was busily applying coconut oil to nubile bodies as the surfers enjoyed the blue seablue sea washing up on squeaky white sand.The beach was not for me unfortunately.No, I was in the process of sorting out a particularly nasty break up with a partner with whom I'd owned a restaurant.I had previously spoken to Chris my soliciter on the phone about the situation and he suggested I went to his office.I arrived a little early and ...

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“Little, then Big” by Emily Ku

Submitted to Contest #33

One day while I was getting up, my mom called me literally. Like on the phone. When she called, she told me she was going to be okay, and her story as she knew it. I didn’t believe it, though I was trying very hard. Since my parents were divorced, but not formally, I knew exactly what she meant. The new virus, and it was horrible. It struck my mom first. First person on the planet to get it. Four years ago, she got it. Four years I’ve been living alone. Four years ago, my father left. For no reason, dealing with marriage however, whatsoever,...

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“Ryan's Eyes” by Avery Park

Submitted to Contest #33

I lean against the shelves stacked high with hair products. Shampoos, conditioners and hair colour are piled around the room. I can hear the snipping of scissors and the broom sweeping. I can smell the many beauty products. I can taste the lingering flavour of hair spray. Today is haircut day. I told Mom twenty minutes ago that I need a haircut. I need a new image. I need something that will make me get noticed. Or rather, something that will make Ryan notice me. Ryan. Just saying his name gives me a happy feeling inside. He has dirty ...

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“Uh oh...” by Sara C.

Submitted to Contest #33

He looked in the mirror trying to smooth down one side of his hair to match the flattened other side. Why was one side flat and the other still in his blond ringlets? He must have slept wrong again.“Looks like someone is having a bad hair day, Steven,” laughed Jason as he came out of the bathroom stall. He was followed by his friends Brady and Ivan, who also chuckled.“No, I’m not!” he protested then paused, thinking. “What’s that?”“You don’t know what a bad hair day is?” Jason jeered. “Good luck getting your picture taken,” he added then wal...

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“"LIFE IS MISCOMUNNICATED"” by Vickie Culbertson

Submitted to Contest #33

My most embarrassing moment as a young adult was my freshman year at Appalchian State University. The distance between myself and my parents was 506.8 miles. This Thanksgiving holiday it was mutually agreed that we would communicate by Skype. I had told my girlfriend that I was going into our bedroom to speak privately with my mother. When I left our living room, Aimee was on the couch, watching a chick flick, "The Notebook".Skype is a computer program that allows you to make free voice and video calls between two computers, tablets, or smar...

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“Your Own Worst Critic” by Cyan Villanueva

Submitted to Contest #33

“No, I can’t. I just can’t do it.” Nicholas says quickly, standing up from his chair and walking gingerly away from his desk; where a large yellow envelope containing his finished manuscript and typewriter sits. His room is spacious with navy colored walls. Simple white painted doors that open out to a small balcony, can be found directly behind his desk a few feet away. On the other side of the desk is his best friend and roommate, Julie Ross. She lays on his bed, which is set against one wall on the left side, as she reads a magazine...

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“Life Choices” by Melanye Rodriguez

Submitted to Contest #33

Life is supposed to be about making one big decision, deciding who you are meant to be. But let's face it, if we make the wrong choice you'll never know. You'll be stuck in the same misery for the rest of your life. Like me, I have so many careers in mind. All my life I've dreamt about working fashion. From designing clothes to doing celebrity makeup. I also want to be a lawyer so that I can argue and talk. It's so difficult to choose one career and stick with it. Both are fun and require moving away. I want to move to New York to pursue my ...

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$50

Prize money

296

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Mar 20, 2020 EST

Won by Phoebe Barr 🏆

Title: Pennies and Years

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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