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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#50: A Moment Like This

Throughout this contest, we’ve read wonderful entries that provide sweeping overviews of characters' lives (such as "The Tree"), as well as submissions that offer glimpses into distinct life-phases (like "Time Bomb"). We’ve also been captured by stories book-ended by the start and end of one particular moment in time: such as "The Price of a Nice Guy" (a woman gets a flat tire and parks on the side of the road), "Who Speaks to Death" (a story told through a single text conversation), and "To You" (a 50th birthday party).

In the spirit of those last three examples, this week's prompts challenge you to embrace the short story's ability to really dive into and explore one single scene.

This week's prompts

Write a story about a proposal.

Valentine's Day – 211 stories

Write a story about an argument that seems to be about one thing, but is actually about another.

Dialogue – 121 stories

Write a story about a person experiencing pre-performance jitters.

High School – 162 stories

Write a story told entirely through one chase scene.

Thriller and Suspense – 143 stories

Write a story about a summer afternoon spent in a treehouse.

Summer – 303 stories

Stories

“Noel” by Parvathy Sabapathy

Submitted to Contest #50

Down on my knees, I look at the serene face of Mother Mary cradling baby Jesus. I pray for strength, for courage, for success - - not the kind that will bring accolades crashing at my feet, but the kind that will fill people's heart with happiness and gratitude, the kind that will restore faith.The shivering that had engulfed my body some time ago gradually stops as I end my prayers with - - 'In the name of Jesus Christ - Amen'The purpose of my life and the reason for my existence will soon be put to test. I am experiencing my first pre-perf...

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“I Am So Sorry” by Janelle Curtis

Submitted to Contest #50

When she beat me this morning, I was prepared. I felt no pain. Well...not physically. I dressed myself in somber fashion, allowing the red leotard to slip onto my form easily. Ballet...oh, Mother, how you live through me. I am 12. Twelve. Yes, I compare the numbers and the letters. I like to play with puppies. Cats are fun, too. I once had two hermit crabs. 2. They weren't hard for you to kill. I watched you. You told me the next morning that hermit crabs don't live long. Usually, you see me. I guess I am getting better at hiding.&...

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“Whatever Works” by Harken Void

Submitted to Contest #50

The heat escalated between them and shirts flew off. Jenny lay back on the bed while Hugo leaned over her, their lips locked and tongues intertwined. The wet smooches of their passion mixed with the sound of their delightful sighs and the soft rustling of bedsheets. Then, the sound of a zipper cut in, loud and sharp. Hugo’s pants fell. Jenny looked him in the eyes with naughty playfulness, and he stared at her with a poker face. She frowned. “What?” “What if I can’t get it up?” he whispered. Jenny rolled her eyes. “Now’s not the time t...

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“Chase of Death” by Zahra Daya

Submitted to Contest #50

Thump! Thump! The gravel beneath my feet crunched as I sprinted across it. My heartbeat rang in my ears, my breathing becoming heavier by the second. I embraced the aching in my body, the pain of the past, knowing it would all be over soon. I closed my eyes as I ran, the gift of vision unneeded on a path I knew all too well. I felt the cool air on my cheeks, whipping my short, uncombed hair back. I felt the gravel underfoot give way to rocky terrain and I opened my eyes, coming to a halt. A mass of scintillating water lay beneath the high cl...

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“Epochal Events” by Emily K

Submitted to Contest #50

A significant moment in one’s life is called an “epochal event.” The day you graduate from high school. The day you finally gather up the courage to ask that guy you’ve had a crush on if he wants to go on a date. The day you’re accepted into your dream job. Mine was a bit different. Don’t get me wrong, everyone has multiple epochal events, and so have I, but the most significant one… well, it happened three weeks ago, during a game of Truth or Dare. It had started off innocent enough, but it quickly helped shape the worst day of my life. ...

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“A Hope for Love” by Capsouille_la_fripouille ,

Submitted to Contest #50

It had been exactly 14 month, 12 days, 13 hours and 16 seconds when John decided he wanted to propose to Petronille.He had known when he met her gaze for the first time... She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She had long swaying dark hair and piercing blue eyes. She had a beautiful dress that matched her eyes. She looked amazing.He knew that she was his true love, his soul mate if you must.Every morning, when he woke up, he thought about her. At noon, he would still be thinking about her. When he went to sleep, he dreamt about ...

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“Good news after Pain” by OPHOKE LEONARD

Submitted to Contest #50

Loving him wasn’t a mistake.In less than an hour, the house was organized to host a big party again. Everybody waited in parts to see what was to happen. Some people take Christmas like an angel sent for happiness but look it carries the extremely full joy of Christmas and Easter. As the food was served on the table of a hungry herdsman who couldn't even kneel to wash his hands properly or remove the specks of dirt on the skin, this was the best example to explain the happiness of a dish one has yawned for since they met each other. Before t...

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“The Labyrinth ” by James Ashton

Submitted to Contest #50

The paper felt heavy in Andrew’s hands as he sat backstage. The red velvet curtain sat in front of him, as he heard the silent shuffle of the crowd beyond it. His stomach turned over in constant circles as he smelled the aroma of old pine wood and new paint. Nancy, the old teacher who acted as the stage manager, gave the signal to notify him that he was going on next. He could feel chills run down his body, even though the theatre must have been ninety degrees. He could feel his throat close up and tighten. His legs bounced, and his...

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“My Travel Back Home” by Mrudula Mohan

Submitted to Contest #50

'Ah! the long week is over. Freedom for the weekend!.' It was 8.30 pm when Mansi and Ranjali left for their home after a tiresome week. They were both fresh graduates from the same college, they met for the first time during their interview. It didn't take them long to become friends. They were recruited as assessment interns with no stipend until accepted. Their travel took more than an hour by metro. They soon became accustomed to the working of the company. They sometimes take the bus to the nearest metro station, as they were free of cos...

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“A Moment filled with Trepidation” by Faleha Hakim

Submitted to Contest #50

My face lit by the bulb framed mirror which hung on the neatly painted wall. My virtual reflection faced me back as I stared at my eyes trying to encode my own thoughts. Then, lazily I moved the eyeballs at my bright collar, white and flawless. Pushing my neck a bit higher, I combed my hair again the fiftieth time. Still not satisfied. Once again I was back at staring my square face. It was best to drop the eyelids and blacken the sight, to stay silent and breathe, to flow serenity and relax. I thrashed my back against the chair on which I ...

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“Danny and Franny” by Shelley Els

Submitted to Contest #50

Danny runs his sweaty hands along his trousers for what seems like the hundredth time. He’d planned ‘operation engagement’ down to the most minute details, but he wasn’t quite prepared for the sudden onslaught of doubt. They’d spoken about this moment many times in the past four years and were both on the same page, but still— “Danny, have you decided?” Franny asks. “Oh, sorry. I’ll have the ravioli,” he tells their ridiculously good looking waiter. Any other night he wouldn’t have cared, but why did tonight’s waiter have to...

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“The Chaste” by Kathleen March

Submitted to Contest #50

Some people have nightmares about being chased. I have nightmares all the time, but not about being chased by somebody or something. Most people don’t notice me much and they don’t have a reason to come after me. Maybe that’s why I don’t get chased. In comparison, in MY nightmares, I usually start to wander in some direction, then get lost. In the process of getting lost, I realize I am not wearing the right clothing or that part of my clothing is missing. I’m barefoot or wearing just a bathrobe, or can’t find the building I’m supposed to en...

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“Fairy Lights” by Roula Soliman

Submitted to Contest #50

I woke up to the feeling of sun rays peeking through my window and I felt its warmth spreading through my soft bed sheets. My amber eyes open reluctantly, contemplating whether they should greet the day just yet. I allowed myself to stay in bed a little longer, soaking in the warm summer sun rays. My eyes followed its trail to where it was lying on the floor, like sweet, glistening honey. After what seemed like forever, I groggily forced myself out of bed and stood to gaze by the window, inhaling in a long shaky breath. The weather was unexp...

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“My Art” by Precious Vitalis

Submitted to Contest #50

I had waited several weeks for this day with great expectations, and viola', here it was. As I stood by astound by the great desire of other students who were standing in line to display their work to the board, I was scared filled with questions of uncertainties. What was the board members gonna say about my presentation, I feared. I tried gulping back my fears, but it all came rushing back to my heart, when I presumed I was next in line. No matter what I was determined to give my best for what I believed in, I promised. Today was tag...

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“DRAMA! EMOTE! EXERAGERATE!” by P. Jean

Submitted to Contest #50

(Write a story about a person experiencing pre-performance jitters.) I sit here thinking about all of the myriad things that could go wrong, so many personalities and the slight chance that all things will click, that it will go smoothly! I wonder why I volunteered to coach this group! A mistake or blown line or someone bursting into tears, or worse, like an avalanche where a few grains of frozen water or snow slips away from its base and slides downward, taking more and more with it until a mountain of snow has...

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$50

Prize money

940

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 17, 2020 EST

Won by Emily Hemmings 🏆

Title: Life in the Trees

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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