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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

“So many questions” by Tina Gayanes

Submitted to Contest #50

My chest went heavy, full of joy, excitement and even worries upon hearing those words from him. What would my life be with him? That's what comes first to my mind. Then I started to imagine a happy family. I can see myself standing looking at the kids running around while a wide smile is painted on my face. Then I saw him doing some woodwork, he sweating but still looking so brusque and handsome. I blinked my eyes and came back to my senses. I asked myself, are you ...

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“The Perfect Proposal” by Chelsie Reid

Submitted to Contest #50

The Perfect Proposal By Chelsie Reid Arabella was waiting in front of the tall building for her longtime boyfriend. She had been planning this date for them for the longest. Arabella had come here early to make sure everything was already set for when Lukis arrived. Since it was winter, she had decided to enter the building. There was a row of chairs and in front was a desk with a security guard behind it. She had already signed in so all she was waiting for was Lukis to arrive. Arabella did not need to turn around to know that her boyfriend...

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“Don't be afraid to speak up!” by Leo Chilson

Submitted to Contest #50

Don’t be afraid to speak up! Leo Chilson With a sigh of relief, the young Cheyenne warrior grabbed the mane of his pony and q...

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“Three Years Till Forever” by Opeyemi Olajide

Submitted to Contest #50

Noah paced back and forth in his hotel as his thoughts went to the events of the rest of the day. He ran his hands through his hair, messing it up more than it already was. This was going to be life-changing for both him and Lillian. If it went wrong, a three-year relationship was going to be ruined in seconds. Although it could go right, she was probably going to beat the shit out of him. Lillian was going to graduate from college tomorrow, and Noah had decided he would pop the question tonight. He had planned a lovely dinner at a 'fanc...

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“Finding Love Through Bear and Snake” by Syeda Bukhari

Submitted to Contest #50

"Aryan, wake up!” she screamed, slapping the unconscious, battered and bleeding boy lying in front of her. “Open your eyes! Please! “She yelled again. No response. He remained out cold. Sara wiped her face and looked up at the horizon. Sun was sinking, darkness was on its way bringing out the dangers of the forest. She had to move fast. She looked helplessly at Aryan and had a brain wave. **************************** Sara was orphaned when she was just eleven. Her elder brother, took ...

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“The Proposal” by Randi W

Submitted to Contest #50

Wiping his hands on his jeans, he glared at the impossible choice in front of him; there were dozens of sparkly diamond rings and all were worth a pretty penny. Derek had carefully planned the perfect proposal for his girlfriend Harley and the only thing left to do was to choose a ring. He had been standing in the jewellery shop for the better part of an hour and was still no closer to making a decision; he had been fending off the glares of the older saleswoman since he entered. In the hour since he had been searching for the perfect ring, ...

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“Saturday, October 12” by Josh Clingman

Submitted to Contest #50

Today was the day. Saturday, October 12. The day we'd met.Normally, we'd have coffee at 10:30 on Saturdays. But not today.The crisp morning air felt wonderful as I hurried along the sidewalk, bypassing pedestrians, restaurants, and stores. The cold autumn breeze stung my cheeks with its icy caresses, but I paid it no heed. Today was the day, and I couldn't wait for it to begin.At least, I was kind of excited. Part of me was also nervous. Anxious, maybe? Ecstatic as well.It was hard to explain. I'd looked forward to this day for so long, and ...

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“Two Perfect Proposals” by Meagan Bassano

Submitted to Contest #50

Two ugly divorces. One custody battle. One night of violence. Two souls waiting for the perfect timing. I told myself I would never get married again. I didn’t even want to entertain the idea of a proposal, a wedding, or even being vowed to another after the experience I had endured. All that mattered now was the safety and well being of my children and me, as their mother. The summer of 2015 had been one for the books. I was ready f...

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“What A Tangled Web Weave” by Gabriela Fitzgerald

Submitted to Contest #50

“Lets just go!” Wes looks at me in that wild, fun, impulsive way he always gets when he’s ready for an adventure. “Our bags are already packed. They’re waiting in the car. I just need you to say yes.” “I don’t know…” I stammer. “I started school... we’ll miss a whole week…” “Look at me, Ryane.” Wes grabs my shoulders and turns me towards him. He looks me dead in the eyes. I feel myself going weak under his gaze. His amazingly hot body is so close to mine. “You gave up everything to move out here on a crazy whim. You left your home, your f...

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“The social circle ” by Shennel Warn

Submitted to Contest #50

Jenny drew in a breath of envy as she surveyed the ring on Laura Piper's finger. She was the fifth social media influencer to get engaged this month. Jenny enlarged the photo with her thumb and pointer finger, taking in the details of the perfectly cut almond-shaped diamond. She averted her gaze to the caption. It read, I said yes! Jenny swallowed hard, her eyes dropping on the growing likes and comments. Every day a new person seemed to be getting engaged, yet, here she was, still waiting for the ring that f...

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“Reactive Attachment” by R. Becca

Submitted to Contest #50

From Harlan, he receives the following: "She's a real bitch," delivered with all the gravity of a terminal diagnosis. Alistair chases her outside and down the alley. She disappears around a corner; when he reaches the turn she has vanished. He waits, listening: there, a muffled sob from behind that fence. He pushes open the gate. "Betsey?" he whispers. She's leaning sideways against the fence, facing away, knees drawn to her chest. In the moonlight he can see the line of her spine sticking out through her thin shirt. It's a cold nigh...

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“His Dinner.” by Martine Butcher-Campbell

Submitted to Contest #50

Soft, heatless curls bounced over my shoulders as I strutted around the kitchen, my apron tied around my waist. He loves this hairstyle. Slow songs played gently through the speaker, and a glass of red wine stayed glued to my hand as I finished up serving his favourite meal, steak, sweet potato fries and mac and cheese. Sugar plum scented candles burned on the table I had set out for the two of us, filling the room. All lights were dimmed low, creating the perfect mood. All that was left was to get into role. I’ll admit, it had been some ...

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“The Unremarkable Sandwich” by Sarina .

Submitted to Contest #50

Efil lived an unremarkable life. Born to an unremarkable family in an unremarkable town, she went to an unremarkable public school and eventually graduated with a business degree she used to get a job at an unremarkable office, where she stays from nine in the morning to five in the afternoon and she had done this for the 20 years she had been out of school. On Weekdays she takes the train home and watches reruns of the Bachelor with her cat, Kensington. On Saturdays she goes for a long walk around her neighbourhood and on Sunday she b...

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“Dying to be Normal” by Radia Al Rashid

Submitted to Contest #50

I hate kids! Sounds like there's no proper explanation for that but I do, I do have proper explanations for the hatred. I hate them because I can't stand the mess they create, I hate them because they are meant to be handled in a certain way which is so hazardous to me and not in my level of tolerance, I hate them because I just don't want a little human being to hold the center of everyone's attention where all my, an adult's achievements, sorrows or other emotions are naturally blocked out, I hate them because they are the most stubborn li...

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“Sometimes its better to let go....” by Ashmita Ghimire

Submitted to Contest #50

Fifteen hours long ride to a completely new city, away from home to the unknown place for nursing placement for a whole month. The best option was taking two days of road trips with a group of seven people in two cars. We were the group that did everything with lots of craziness and fun. We were close to each other. So everyone was really happy to make a road trip with each other. " Let's rock this placement and enjoy to our fullest." Everyone was content to spend time before we depart from each other after graduation. We all were a little...

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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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