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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#68: Meet in the Middle

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that the internet loves to argue. Perhaps one of the stranger fights I’ve seen is what constitutes a “sandwich” — you’d think the definition would be universal… and you’d be very wrong.

But whether you classify hot dogs, pitas, and burritos as sandwiches or not, one thing we can agree on is this: no matter how similar the components, there’s endless variety to be found when you combine the ingredients in different ways.

With that in mind, this week we’re celebrating the infinite diversity of fillings. To do so, we’re going to provide you with the beginning and ending of your story — and it will be up to you to fill these two slices of literary bread with whatever you can imagine!

This week's prompts

Start your story with two characters watching a sunrise and end it with one of them seeing the moon reflecting off a lake.

Adults – 301 stories

Start your story with someone admitting a secret and end it with someone telling a lie.

Dramatic – 180 stories

Start your story with someone robbing a bank and end it with two people driving on an interstate.

Dramatic – 86 stories

Start your story with the line, “This was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives,” and end it with, “By then it was too late.”

Sad – 132 stories

Start your story with the line, “It had been twenty-four years since she’d last seen it, but the place looked exactly the same,” and end it with, “[…] and that was all that mattered.”

Adults – 178 stories

Stories

“It hurts to be Bailed on ” by ✯𝐋𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫✯

Submitted to Contest #68

Title: It hurts to be Bailed on Author: Haripriya Authors Note: Hello everyone! I hope you are all having a great Tuesday! This story is about how the friendship of two friends ended on the day something amazing was going to happen to one of them. I hope you like this story! This was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives, but something tragic occurred, something that was unexpected. This should have never happened on this day, unfortunately, it did. But before you understand why Felicia is feeling hatred, anger, and disappointme...

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“The Beautiful Sight” by ✯𝐋𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫✯

Submitted to Contest #68

Title: The Beautiful SightAuthor: By HaripriyaAuthors Note: This story was a little bit more laid back, because it took me a very short time to write this. Anyways, I hope you all have a great Friday and a good weekend!"Wow..." I looked up, amazed at the gorgeous scenery. I couldn't utter a word. But, I saw my little sister looking up with fascination too. But, no one could blame her... outside looked amazing. Gorgeous shades and different gradients of yellow, red, orange, and other vibrant hues painted in the morning-sunshine sky. Oh!...

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“All Bark, No Bite” by ꊰꏂꋬꋪ꒒ꏂꇙꇙ ꊰꄲꉧ

Submitted to Contest #68

Standing atop a grassy hill, I look eastward. The sky is still dark and the day is just beginning. By my side, loyal Ozzie watches the terrain around us, warily. Suddenly, the first rays of light break over the horizon. The sun is finally rising. I look to Ozzie and nod. Instantly, we both explode from a standstill and race down the hill. “CHAAAAARGE!” I howl, and my soldiers waiting at the bottom jump to their feet. As Ozzie and I pass them, they fall into step beside and run with us. Today is the day. With a rousing war cry, I lead my tr...

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“Beth Ann” by Hannah B

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #68

Ruthie knows she should be scared, crouched here behind the teller desk while some beautiful lunatic waves her gun in the air – and lord, what would the pastor say? – but in truth, she is taken by the sight of her. Transformed, transported. Devastated.“You hear me?”Ruthie fights back a smile and the pistol barrel aimed at her head seems to fade, until there’s nothing but the pretty face behind it. There’s a bandana tied above her nose, obscuring her lips, her cheeks. But her eyes shine fierce and bright, like the bottom of a well when the su...

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“Pool Of Sapphires” by Echo Sundar

Submitted to Contest #68

This was supposed to be the happiest day of their life. It was going to be magnificent and absolutely splendid. But not everything always turns out the way you hope. The morning was bright casting its dazzling light through the blinds peeping in and then wrapping me in a blanket of warmth. My alarm clock buzzed signaling it was time to get up. Time to head off to work. “No..” I groggled trying to turn the alarm clock off but then I remembered what was supposed to happen today. I didn't have to go to work. I had taken the day off. I s...

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“Connected by Heart” by 🕊 🎀 𝒱𝒶𝓇𝓈𝒽𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝓂𝒶𝓁 🎀 🕊

Submitted to Contest #68

Grace and Riley looked up as the sun was rising above the horizon. “Gorgeous.” Riley muttered as she looked into her sister's deep brown eyes, the exact same as hers. Grace giggled as they looked at each other with affection. Ever since they were born Grace and Riley had been like salt and pepper. Two unique minds combined into one. The twins looked exactly alike. The only difference was Grace had autism spectrum. She preferred to stay indoors at school and not go play outside as the others. Riley would always comfort her and give her compan...

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“End of the Line” by Raquel Rodriguez

Submitted to Contest #68

Gold sliced through the light pink like a knife. The gold exploded where it was, filling more of the sky.It looked fabricated, too good for the conditions we had been facing. I knew it wasn’t though. It was a perfect time to die. While the sun was still young.“Wow,” the girl next to me murmured, her hazel eyes widened and her eyebrows raised.I laughed at her, and she turned to me, laughing too. “Haven’t ya ever seen a sunrise like this?” I asked her.“Yeah,” - she nodded and slapped my shoulder, her lips pursed - “course I’ve, idiot! But this...

233 comments 233

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“THE FAREWELL” by Amel Parvez

Submitted to Contest #68

The florid orange sun was peeking from behind the shoals of clouds, shining softly. The sun gradually rose to envelop everyone in its tender warmth. The blazing sun splashed an igniting bloom all over the horizon. The golden streaks of the sun's rays were visible in the sky, uplifting the whole place. Even the lake which was still as ice, but brilliantly blue reflected the rosy hues beatifically. The peaceful weather, the bright sun, the serene brutality of the lake, and then the Rocky Mountains surrounding the enormous lush trees were enoug...

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“Pants on Fire ” by A.Dot Ram

Submitted to Contest #68

It was during our wedding scene that Logan slipped me the note. I felt the crumpled paper between us as our fingers interlaced, Hermia and Lysander. I held it, willing my hand not to sweat through the message, not to sweat into his hand.I usually liked this scene, my lines all said and nothing to do but hold hands and dance and make googly eyes in the background as Pyramus and Thisbe made asses of themselves. The looks we would give, Logan Hansen and I silently vying to out-lovey-dovey each other! Tonight I raised my eyebrow in a wordless qu...

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“Emily's Grace” by Mollie Rodgers

Submitted to Contest #68

The water below is murky and green. Dark shadows of fish move beneath the surface.My elbows are looped around the railing behind me and my toes dangle over open air.“Do it,” says Emily. “Do it, Gracie.”I shake my head. “There could be brain eating amoebas in there.”She, on the safe side of the bridge's railing, rests her elbows on the ledge and leans close. “Chickenshit,” she whispers.I can feel a flush creep up my neck. She smells like sunblock and oranges.She stretches out one of my curls then lets it go. It boings back into its spiral. “Y...

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“Returning ” by Crystal Lewis

Submitted to Contest #68

It had been twenty-four years since she’d last seen it, but the place looked exactly the same. It was surprising, when the world around it had changed so much. But here it was, untouched, unchanged, as though time didn’t exist here. Perhaps it didn’t. I could feel something here, something I had felt as a child. It was a warm feeling, a soft, soothing feeling like a warm presence was wrapped around you and holding you close. The place seemed to be held in a curious crossing of all the s...

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“Mommy's Girl” by 🕊 🎀 𝒱𝒶𝓇𝓈𝒽𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝓂𝒶𝓁 🎀 🕊

Submitted to Contest #68

This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. Finally...Graduation. I was soon going to be a free woman, I’m not a little kid that grew up in a Southern ranch. I was an adult. But who knew this day would go so wrong... ************************** “I can’t believe it.” My best friend Fiona said. We were at my apartment getting ready to go shopping for Grad dresses. “I know right.” I agreed...it felt like yesterday when I first went to college. I remembered mom crying as she waved at me from the airport. I had decided to go to Ca...

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“Entangled” by Scout Tahoe

Submitted to Contest #68

It’s been twenty-four years since she’s last seen it, but the place looks exactly the same. Chipping paint peeling back to reveal ugly concrete scars. Isla feels her bags weighing down her shoulders but none of that bothers her. In fact, it makes the experience more welcoming. Through the window she spots Pia with a blurred face and thin arms. Now Pia’s hair is short and thick and white. Wrinkles on her flowery dress match the building almost exactly. There are no blue-eyed customers waiting in the window, so Isla throws a clumsy...

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“Heart Talks ” by Palak Shah

Submitted to Contest #68

“Am I going to die” asked Josh. Pointing to his hand, he could see his tubes digging in; wincing in pain his hand ached. “No” replied Penelope “I won’t let that happen”. Staring deeply into his eyes she put her hand on top of his. Feeling the tubes she realised how much pain he’s actually in. Taking his shoulder she rested her head on it; wishing that none of this was happening. The fear travelled in Penelope’s veins but never made it to her facial muscles or skin. Her complexion remained pale and matt, her eyes as steady as if she were s...

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“Grey Shade” by Kylie Wallis

Submitted to Contest #68

This was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives. After seven years together, Ray Mendoza had finally proposed, and Adriana Driscoll said yes without hesitation. Her ring was made of gold and decorated with diamonds and emeralds. A wedding planner was hired, which went a long way in getting things done properly. June 18th was agreed upon. A location had been found and booked in advance.Adriana knew what her final dress choice would be as soon as she saw it; a cream colored strapless gown, with crystals on the bodice and the skirt flow...

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$50

Prize money

877

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Nov 20, 2020 EST

Won by FJC Montenegro 🏆

Title: Silence

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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