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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

“Head Hunters” by Paige Mancini

Submitted to Contest #33

Victoria sat in the salon chair. The plastic black cape draped over her shoulders, close around her neck, almost choking her, (if she thinks about it too much she'll start panicking). Her wavy, messy, chocolatey brown hair sprawled out around her, her bangs hanging in her plain, but pretty face. She sat there staring into the mirror, getting lost in her own world. "Ma'am... did you know how you want your hair cut today?" Chloe, a cute, petite blonde with just a touch of too much makeup and the most gorgeous, bright green eyes, asked interrup...

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“Bad Hair Day at The Center” by Amy DeMatt

Submitted to Contest #33

I was breathless, and I didn’t know whether it was because of the pectoral fly machine or what had just happened. The day had started out uneventfully. I’ve always been a gym rat. I love working out. I’d gone for a run first, the clear blue sky still cold, and robins and blue jays out for the first time. I’d gotten a gym membership at The Center because I didn’t know if the weather in Ellwood City was like at home, where a cold March day could be either a snowy whiteout or shorts weather, it was so unpredictable.&nbs...

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“I am Liza” by Lisbeth McCarty

Submitted to Contest #33

I am Liza On the Friday night before Christmas, Dan (the man I had just started dating) and I had been to see a movie that was so ridiculous that we spent the rest of the evening making fun of the stupid film dialogue. I laughed until mascara was running down my face. We made fun of that movie until 3:30 in the morning! By the time Dan left, I was so tired that I merely dabbed cold dream on my face, pulled on my long-sleeved, floor-length nightgown. The nightgown was printed all over with a...

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“Exit, Stage Awkward” by Emilie Conroy

Submitted to Contest #33

The incessant pounding on the door aroused both Byron and Maxine from their contented slumber. Though the loft was still dim, sunlight crept through the draperies. Opening one eye, Maxine saw that it was about eleven in the morning according to the clock on the wall. She was sweating, experiencing an awareness of her body she had never felt before. Byron held her against his chest and gazed at her. He cradled her face with one gentle hand, softly stroking her cheeks. She cuddled against Byron, trying to shut out the anno...

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“Killing the Double” by Chapin Wilson

Submitted to Contest #33

How to Survive High School:Be open to new people and new experiencesTry and connect with your classmates—friendship is an important part of high schoolParticipate in extracurriculars such as sports, clubs, or student governmentSpeak up in class—your ideas are valuable “Why don’t we start with you giving another recount of what happened?” This was the first sentence Shyla heard from her therapist during their third meeting. She took a deep breath, looking around and noticing the flickering of the fluorescent lights above her, and the distant ...

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“Disease Struck ” by Geoffrey Archer

Submitted to Contest #33

“I need to see a doctor!” a woman, in goth black attire urged as she leaned against the counter. Breathe reeking of onion and alcohol spilled over. The nurses currently working at this urgent care covered their mouths which were already covered by masks. “Okay have you been here before?” The nurse asked in the sweetest voice she ...

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“Miscommunication” by Blane Britt

Submitted to Contest #33

MiscommunicationI can’t believe they released me back into society! After spending 13 years in a psychiatric facility for the criminally insane. I was suddenly released back into society. I was given a life sentence there for slaughtering a herd of Bison’s Latifrons at The National Bison Range in the National Wildlife Refuge located in western Montana established in 1908 to provide a sanctuary for the American bison. I was diagnosed criminally insane by the time I got caught trying to get my hustle on by skinning and making fur coats o...

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“Crumbling Pieces” by Imani McDonald

Submitted to Contest #33

Nadia Hampton bounced her leg up and down, her phone in hand as she sat on the living room couch in the home that belonged to her and her husband, Raymond. She wiped her face with the back of her left hand, trying to keep her tears at bay, but she was failing to do so. Every time she thought about why she was upset anyway, all she wanted to do was cry. Hearing keys rattle in the door, Nadia adjusted her posture and rubbed her face with more aggression than before. She fixed her eyes on the wall ahead, which held a large portrait of her ...

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“License for Sorrow” by Unknown User

Submitted to Contest #33

“Morning Ben,” Evelyn greeted him with a smile.“Good morning high school you mean,” joked Ben, with a tint of regret in his voice. “I could have done with a few more months of summer.”“And do what? Play Minecraft all day?”“Yes, siree.”Evelyn smiled and started to say something but stopped.Two teens walking down a hallway towards class is a normal September view, at least if you are in a school. But a spy walking down a school hallway is not an ordinary school sight at all. That’s why Evelyn Rider decided to keep secrets from everyone, includ...

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“The Lost Girl” by Janine Miller

Submitted to Contest #33

My life has been so stressful lately I need to get away, Mary thought. But where should I go. Somewhere warm, like Mexico or Hawaii? Somewhere with a lot of history like Rome or Egypt? Well, I have already been to Mexico so I think that's out. Hawaii is still technically in the United States, and I think I should get out of both Canada and the United States.So, Rome or Egypt, Rome or Egypt? Mary kept thinking about those two destinations as she paced in her apartment. She didn't know which one to pick. On the one hand, Egypt was both hot and...

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“Packing Stories” by Arry Weber

Submitted to Contest #33

“Almost done packing?” Mom yells from downstairs, “we need to leave in five minutes!”“Almost!” I yell back at my mom.I don't want to move, I don't want to leave my friends. Dad said I would finally make friends at the new school, and that his new job would get us more money to do fun things. He thinks I'll be happier at the new house, but so far moving has been a nightmare, and we haven't even gotten in the car yet!I set five books down in front of me. I can only pack one more, but all of my books are special to me. Mom and Dad said I could ...

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“What to Write” by Asher Winters

Submitted to Contest #33

What to write, what to write! Nothing and I mean nothing, came to mind as I stared at the flickering line that stood like a wall I couldn't get over, the deadline was only a couple of days away and I had nothing. I didn't even have a title for the prompt and I only had a day left, the clock was ticking while the wall in my head grew taller and taller with each passing moment. I sigh and get up to go walk, only taking a light hoodie since spring had graced the Earth. I head to the woods placed behind the cabin that was in the country near a l...

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“Final Departure” by Maria M

Submitted to Contest #33

I was waiting for a train. It was morning when I arrived, and I haven't kept track of time since. My bright red suitcase was always visible from the corner of my eye no matter where I turned, and I turned a lot. The bench wasn’t as comfortable as when I first sat on it, and it wasn’t very comfortable even then. Another train passed me by. I’d lost count. I hadn’t been keeping count to begin with. A woman sat beside me and moved her stroller near my suitcase. They bumped into each other and I heard her mutter a small sorry. Her voice was...

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“Thursdays with Nicolo” by Becky Vodek

Submitted to Contest #33

As a teacher, Carina made 500 decisions a minute to keep the peace and make it through her days educating the future generation. Sometimes she wished she could turn in her adult card and let someone else make the decisions for awhile. Being an adult is no fun, too many choices, too many decisions, and just too much pressure to make the right ones. Thursday evening and again decisions to be made as Carina closed the convertible top and beeped the doors locked as she got out of her car. She looked around the downtown area, ...

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“The Question” by Ian Willis

Submitted to Contest #33

“So, will you invite me up?” The question hung like a pensive red house brick floating in the silence between them.*Up to the age of twelve her life had been ordinary. Just one girl amongst many. High school changed all that. Her girlfriends all began the inevitable transformation that her body somehow refused. They grew taller and curvier. Their very skin announcing to the world their departure from childhood. Her one time peers now even smelt different. Not that she was spared the inconvenience of maturity. No, her body gave her nubil...

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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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