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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

“The Unexpected” by Wyoma Theresa Maisog

Submitted to Contest #50

This 39-year-old woman has been dating this CEO for almost a year. They are compatible together. They both love traveling, music and being silly all the time. This is the side that her boyfriend does not show when he is work. In his company, he is labelled as the Snobbish Boss or the Handsome So Serious CEO. She laughed when he told her about these. She loves him so much that she wants to spend the rest of her life with him. She knows he feels the same way. She is satisfied with how their relationship is doing. They sometimes go out of tow...

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“In a moment ” by Grace Bee

Submitted to Contest #50

People often wonder if “love at first sight” is true or if it takes longer for a person to fall in love. Do we one day look at the person differently or had we been intrigued by their looks and personality for so long it had progressed to something more? We could ponder such things and argue into eternity and still not know the truth, but one thing is for certain: We don’t choose who we fall in love with. We don't. It could start by noticing subtle things about them. We wonder what they are doing at an exact moment ...

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“Lighthouse” by Deanna Schneiter

Submitted to Contest #50

He brought me to the shoreline this evening. As we sat on the rocks, the cool breeze blew a mist through my hair. He pushed a section of my sandy blonde hair from my face, tracing my jawline with his fingertip. I looked up at him with such adoration in that moment. He was tall, sweet and very handsome. His eyes were like honey. His hair short but swift, dark and turning gray. His features were masculine and bold. Age showed on his face but he wore it so well. As we sat on those rocks, a sailboat went by. From our spot I could see a f...

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“A Proposal” by Karen Sapudar

Submitted to Contest #50

The evening began like a dream. Lila was having a great hair day, and it continued into the evening. She wanted her long flowing locks to be perfect. The curl in her bangs over her eyes had to flip perfectly. When she first looked at her 3 karat, heart shaped engagement ring, she wanted to be able to see that glistening gem without having to blow her hair out of her eyes. She had been dropping hints for months, and she knew tonight would be the night. Daniel had made reservations at their favorite French restaurant, and told her he had somet...

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“The Proposal She Didn’t Want” by Kasey Saunders

Submitted to Contest #50

There once was a very poor man deeply in love with a woman. His name is Jeremiah. She was a very wealthy one as well. Yet. Jeremiah didn’t want the money, he wanted her love. He would do anything to get her attention yet, it didn't work. She had eyes for someone else but, Jeremiah didn't know that. Once Jeremiah had the confidence to go up to her and ask what her name was, she replied with, “Aubrie.“ and walked away. Jeremiah said, “Alright Aubrie, I’m going to give you something you won't regret.” And so he bought a suit and a ring wi...

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“The Story of Quickhand Billy” by Ella Bartal

Submitted to Contest #50

It all started when Quickhand Billy walked into our little town. It was a hot summer day, like any old, regular day. But on that day, there was something different in the air. You could almost smell it.Quickhand Billy walked into town wearing his signature side bag where he would hide all kinds of tricks. Some say it is magical, some say it is bottomless, some say it made him look like a girl. Whatever they say, Billy would never leave his home without it.He pulled out his pistol and loaded it, then fired two shots into the sky. "Alright dim...

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“Is That a 'No'?” by Kelechi Okereke

Submitted to Contest #50

John could barely sleep at night. He had been awake for what seemed to him an eternity. His heart was racing fast, his mind exploring and cross-checking the plans he had put in place to propose to his girlfriend. He hoped the ring was beautiful enough. Darn it! If she wouldn't like it, he could always get her another one. He made the right choice to put her best friend, Yemi, (an event planner) in charge of the whole plan. Yemi should know her better. "It's today, baby! We'll be together forever. Bachelorhood was dope. I'll definitely miss i...

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“Will She or Won't She?” by Sheri McComb

Submitted to Contest #50

WILL SHE OR WON’T SHE? By Sheri McComb I went through a mental checklist while checking out my reflection in the mirror. Ring-check. Reservations-check. Flowers-check. Nerves-check. Okay, that last one wasn't necessary, but I was feeling pretty anxious. Everything had to be perfect. Stacy and I had been dating for just four months, but I knew she was the one I wanted to spend my life with. But the same question kept going through my mind like it was on repeat - 'Does she feel the same way about me?’ We'd met by accident. You see, m...

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“The Ring” by Lisa Massimilla

Submitted to Contest #50

The good thing about buying a ring for a man is the price. For a few hundred dollars you can get a nice band while a woman’s ring will soak you for a few thousands. “I’ll take that one,” I pointed to a silver band with an intricate design twisting around it. The saleswoman smiled as she retrieved the ring from the display case. “Nice choice. Would you like to see the matching woman’s band?” I forced my voice to remain neutral and my smile pleasant. “No thanks. I’ll bring her to pick a ring another time.” The woman accepte...

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“THE GRIM REAPER'S GIRL” by Richie Kirui

Submitted to Contest #50

There’s a lot of things you learn on the line of duty as a wing-man or wing-lady. First and foremost is understanding that you’re only a link in the chain, and when the time comes you’ll have to disengage yourself and let the big girls and boys play. Sweat and hormones, it’s always been about this. Second, mind your own business. Walls have ears, however inviting it is to keep yourself in the know of what’s going on with the hookups you’ve made, you have a right to remain silent. This by extension means you are supposed to be deaf, blind, mu...

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“Value of Time” by Sandhya R

Submitted to Contest #50

VALUE OF TIME There once lived an astrologer in a village on the west coast of Karnataka. Although he was very famous and well known, he was wise, humble and lived a simple life. The villagers would often seek his advice and he would always suggest suitable solutions and explain it to them in a simple way without asking for anything in return. People who dedicated themselves to his guidance got their problems resolved and made good fortune by following his advice. To a farmer, the astrologer would suggest the right time to sow and reap a cr...

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“HATE TURNED LOVE.” by Faith Oluwafemi

Submitted to Contest #50

It is very frustrating to have an extreme Sanguine around, most especially when you are a Melancholy in nature as well. Indeed, we give people a room to change, if not their clothes but at least their attitude a bit. But NO! Absolutely No, he becomes more annoying each day. Ofcourse Not! He isn't my friend; but an ordinary classmate. He is so much of an extrovert, though friendly but still unorganized, always clumsy, he is the life of the entire class. I just observe him from afar. I'm not in anyway interested in "the man of the people". I...

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“Blonde Locks, Kneepads, and a Band-Aid to the Heart” by Sarah B

Submitted to Contest #50

A cackle erupts from the back of my throat. The air escapes my lungs as I laugh louder than I have ever laughed before.“Charlie, Charlie I’m sorry! I can’t breathe!” I shriek.“Sorry for what Grace?”“I- I” gasping, I continue “I'm sorry I called you Char- Charlotte”A smug grin dances onto Charlie’s face as she slowly starts to crawl off me and settles next to me, stretching her arm out, so I can place my head in the nook of her armpit. She wraps a leg around me and pulls me closer.I missed seeing her like this. You know, carefree. Recently so...

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“The Bus Stop” by Magsi Rover

Submitted to Contest #50

August— It was 9:30 in the evening somewhere along the busy buzzing streets of Makati, where corporate buildings glimmered as if it were Christmas eve. A gentle, yet cold breeze brushed across my face as I waited quietly at the bus stop near Ayala triangle gardens.It was perhaps, because of the massive collection of trees around the park which made it a popular destination for young and old corporate workers to gather and meet. Not to mention, there are quite a few popular cafés around the area, as well as notable restaurant...

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“What Did We Learn?” by Bruce Charles

Submitted to Contest #50

“I can’t believe you would even think about doing this!” a man shouted. The young interracial couple who sat across him cringed from his outburst. The woman next to him was embarrassed and tried to call him down. “George, there’s people around. Can’t we do this some other time?” “Some other time?” George said viciously. “There is no other time, we need to put a stop to this right now.” He pointed at the couple angrily. “I forbid this from happening.” “Dad!” his son protested. “I’m an adult now, you can’t just-” “I’m not going to budg...

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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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