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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#81: Candy Hearts

Ah, love. From the first spark of attraction to the soul-deep contentment of a long-established relationship, romantic love is a force that continues to mystify, enthrall, and surprise us.

 

And while there’s plenty to criticize about Valentine’s Day, it’s still a nice excuse for people in romantic relationships to stop and appreciate their partners for a day. Especially during lockdown, when quarters are tight and nerves are often frayed, it’s important to remember why we chose the person (or people) we coupled up with.

 

What better time for a writer to dive headfirst into romances? No matter how many times we tell a love story, each relationship is going to have its own unique joys and frustrations, and we want to feel them all. So feel free to let your sappy side out — this week we’re celebrating love!

This week's prompts

Write about two people reconnecting after a rough patch in their relationship.

Romance – 247 stories

Write a love story about an older couple who’ve been together since they were teenagers.

Romance – 168 stories

Write about a first date that surprises both people, but in different ways.

Romance – 161 stories

Start your story with one character setting up a romantic dinner, and end it with them looking at a framed wedding photo.

Romance – 181 stories

Write about someone asking out an old crush, only to realize their crush doesn’t remember they’ve ever met before.

Romance – 159 stories

Stories

“Me, myself and I ” by Brad Morris

Submitted to Contest #81

"So why did you do it then, Suzan?""Do what, Brad? What are you talking about?""You know what I'm talking about.""No I don't""Yes you do.""I don't want to play this game, why did you do it again?""I'm tired of playing this game too.""Then don't play it.""I'm not playing a game, Brad. What are you talking about?""You know what I'm talking about. It's about him.""It's always about him.""Yes, I know. It's always about him.""I'm sick of talking about him.""Apparently not."'What?""Apparently not.""What's that supposed to mean?""Apparently not; he...

5 comments 5
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“not-so-romantic, not candlelit picnic” by Carole Cobos

Submitted to Contest #81

He and Dixie didn’t talk much- after all they only met a few months ago and Dixie and himself barely had anything in common, besides being superheroes-so it was a surprise when called him (on a burner phone, of course) and insisted he shows up (as Trydez, of course) to a certain rooftop. He noticed which one it was from afar, it had candles and roses. It also had (something Dixie didn’t mention) Avica. She was sitting on a chair, looking bored out of her mind.  Everything was still. He stared at her through his peripheral.  ...

3 comments 3
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“memories this house holds” by Kiki Abbi

Submitted to Contest #81

Margret looked around her. She stared at her mustard colored walls, the white tiled floor. She couldn't believe that she spent 65 in this house, she felt as if it was yesterday when they moved in. She made her way to the kitchen, a smile creeps on her face. "Edward, do you remember when Katie slipped in here and she had gotten a cut on her head?", she laughs as that memory takes place in her brain. He nodded smiling, "Yes Maggie, what a scare you had." "Katie was always a trouble maker." "Just like her father", Edward laughs. Margr...

0 comments 0
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“I Love You, Toby Fishbein” by Kenneth Goldman

Submitted to Contest #81

      I Love You, Toby Fishbein                                   by                               Ken Goldman Toby Fishbein? Yes, I remember her, even after all these ye...

1 comment 1
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“Pottering” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #81

“I’m just going for a potter round the garden, love,” Jack said. “Fine,” Delia said, with a smile. But though she hoped it didn’t show, the smile was forced and actually no, it wasn’t fine. But how could she say so or even raise the subject without sounding mean? Maybe it was true that a lot of men eventually turned into their fathers. But the trouble was, over the last few years, Jack had been turning into his grandfather. Now Delia had been extremely fond of Jack’s grandfather, the late Herbert Mason. He was a lovely man. He had taken her ...

0 comments 0
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“Lights, Camera, Action...” by Kendall Defoe

Submitted to Contest #81

“I’m so glad that you called me back.”“I am glad you answered.”Good move; nothing too aggressive or sloppy about that. Gotta make sure to have more lines like that later.“Have you been to this restaurant before?”Okay, be honest with her.“Once or twice. There was someone I dated who liked Indian food and she recommended that we try this place. That must have been over five years ago…”Good save; very good save. Maybe he will stay on for this particular mission. “I see…”“No, I just… We had known each other for a long ti...

2 comments 2
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“Serial Romantic ” by Violet P Jones

Submitted to Contest #81

  CW: murder The couple had been seated in a quiet, cozy corner of the restaurant. It was relatively empty for a late Friday night, but this meant there was no one to distract them from their romantic meal and conversation. Jacob, a charismatic man, was enjoying the company of his date Kate, who had relaxed throughout the evening and was now giggling and blushing at the compliments she was receiving from him. They'd had a wonderful date so far and were now enjoying dessert accompanied by a final glass of wine. They appeared to be a perf...

2 comments 2
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“Butterflies ” by Angelina Jeong

Submitted to Contest #81

"Elijah! I told you to wash the dishes and fold the basket of laundry," Rose sighed, looking at Elijah, who was still in bed, snoring away. She smacked Elijah's back, forcing him to wake up."What in the world!" Elijah groaned in pain. He looked up at Rose with his eyes half open in frustration."Before I left for work, I asked for you to wash the dishes from last night and fold the small basket of laundry. Look at the house, it's still a mess after I came back from work. It's been six hours! What have you been doing?" Rose blasted those words...

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“to love a memory” by Joohee Yoon

Submitted to Contest #81

A candle is lit. It flickers, the warm glow dancing over the walls and table. After a moment's hesitation, a hasty breath blows it out. And for a moment, there is darkness, interrupted only by the bright moon and pinprick stars that poke twinkling holes in the fabric of night. The candle is relit. This time, the flame is steady. A reluctant hand lights another candle. Another, another, another. The same hands pull an intricately decorated vase from its packaging. It's placed at the center of the table. Two perfect roses are slipped into the ...

2 comments 2
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“Love Story” by Carole Cobos

Submitted to Contest #81

Jason came bursting into the house, face flushed and grinning ecstatically. Eduardo smiled, Jax greatly resembled his grandpa, Jonathan. Same sharp blue-green eyes and all American features.  But instead of smugness, there was humility. Instead of glittering charisma, there was sincerity. Instead of laughter, there was calm. Suppose, and Eduardo wasn’t trying to flatter himself, that was his doing. Of course, it’s physically impossible for him and Jonathan to have a baby or a genetic grandchild. Eduardo and Jonathan adopted Jo...

2 comments 2
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“The unexpectant party.” by Grace Sam Awa

Submitted to Contest #81

"Tonight is going to be the best night ever"! Valarie shouted with so much excitement in her tone, she had been jumpy throughout the day, selecting clothes and shoes that she felt would be lovely on her, just a stone throw away, her friend, Mandy, seemed to not pay attention to all the ruckus going on in the room, she sat on a sofa with a bowl of popcorns in her hands and was watching a TV show, "girl don't tell me that you aren't going out tonight" Valarie said as she noticed her friend was just on the sofa and wasn't even sharing in her ex...

2 comments 2
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“The One” by Emily Aurelien

Submitted to Contest #81

It had been three years since Eric left me after going back to his toxic girlfriend, Sully. When he made his promise to never leave me then decided to leave it felt as though my heart ripped from my chest. There is no feeling like this, I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I didn’t think I would survive this ache in my heart. For months, I cried yearning for him, wondering why I kept putting myself through this.  The feelings went from love, and sadness to resentment and anger.  Today is the first day of Autumn, my career as a persona...

2 comments 2
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“Happiness is…….” by Paresh Bansod

Submitted to Contest #81

 The minute and an hour hand of the wall clock made a perfect ninety-degree angle. Sunlight was peeping inside the window of her bedroom and fell on her face. Her fair skin glowed, her eyes felt a sudden increase in brightness of the room. She opened her eyes and stretched her arms. She yawned deeply. She looked on the other side of the bed. She had the bed all by herself for the first time after the marriage. She rolled over and crossed the imaginary border of the bed. She was on the other side – an unexplored side of the bed. She stre...

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“I'm Gonna Go Cry In The Shower Now...” by Lennox Ducksworth

Submitted to Contest #81

She knew. She knew who I was. Who I really am. But how? How did she know that Malcolm Chidike was Maximum, the famous-well infamous superhero? The first superhuman and first superhuman star. I mean I’ve read the Reddit forums and Twitter pages trying to figure out my identity but really? Her?  I peeked through my hoodie across the hallway at her. Gaia was still beautiful, even though she was probably traumatized after almost dying from the hands of a psychotic pyrokinetic who wanted to burn our school down. But other than that, her gol...

2 comments 2
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“The way we met !” by Miraculous Life

Submitted to Contest #81

Looking at the fascinating starts a teenager girl Finding her parents who had past away 2 years ago because of a curse,but she doesn't know anything about that curse and she doesn't know how her mom and dad died and how she came to the hostel , suddenly she realized a strange voice coming from outside . It was 2 am at night everyone was in there dreams. She decided not to go outside and she begin to look at the star, after sometime she notice that there is a card lying on her bed with a beam of light .when she pick that card , she found a wo...

4 comments 4
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$50

Prize money

916

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 19, 2021 EST

Won by Molly Quinnell 🏆

Title: Golden Cheekbones and the Rising Sun

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!

Prompts | Many Hands | 2024-09

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