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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

“Love after Miscarriage” by Kendra Newton

Submitted to Contest #81

Love after Miscarriage By K.L.Newton    It hurts. I’ve been bleeding for three weeks now. When will it end? Why did this happen to me? To us? I glance over at my husband, David, and the guilt crashes into me again. The sobs rack my body all over again, and he reaches for me. Sorrow in his eyes. I pull away, unable to be held by the man who I let down. I lost our baby for reasons I don’t know yet. All I feel is pain. Pain as my body rids me of my child that we wanted so badly. The blood circles the drain and in that moment it...

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“The Art of Loving Someone at the End of the World” by Natalia Suarez

Submitted to Contest #81

Loneliness comes in many forms. You can observe it in the line at the bank, shopping for unnecessary goods, even under your own roof it lingers. Sometimes though, it's right in front of you, in the middle of a total humanity-killing apocalypse. That's the way Mary saw it anyways.  Her week had started with greater prospects. Receiving her new job at the firm was just the beginning. She had met a guy. He was a sort of unperfect dream. Everything about him was what she had wanted for the past plethora of months, but at the end he had fe...

8 comments 8
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“RAHUL AND MALAIKA” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #81

Rahul was about 30, was handsome, tall, slim and fair with a clean shaven face. Not very far from his house lived dancer Malaika. She was about 27 and was quite good looking. She had shifted from dancing to run a dance school. Rahul had been introduced to Malaika by one of his cousins and he had started moving closely with her. People who knew Rahul and Malaika would say they were sure to get married. Rahul was a chartered accountant and worked for the family firm his father headed. The firm had an important client - a large overseas conglom...

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“Flawed Expectations” by Lydi B

Submitted to Contest #81

“I'm sorry...for the last two weeks.”My statement filled Terri’s entryway like a whistle through an empty office.Terri drew a breath he meant to form into words. None came. As our counselor had suggested, he was slowing down to run his thoughts through a kindness filter. I loved Terri's unique ability to set pride aside and act on another’s advice. Humility conflicts with American culture's current interpretation of “have it all—now”.My new decision conflicts even more.When Terri was able to keep his voice even, he said, "You ghost on me and...

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“Dying for love” by Yolanda Hlongwa

Submitted to Contest #81

The warm, flavoured air settled on their tongues as it rushed out of the lounge, as if it were being set free from captivity as soon as Zaynn opened the door and stepped aside to let the lady in first. Isipho strolled past him without uttering so much as a ‘thank you’. As the pair made its way to the booths, Isipho couldn’t help but to let her eyes wander. Handsome, burly and moneyed men sat on the velvet couches of the Prestige Lounge, discussing their daily business affairs and laughing modestly as they went on with their poker games, occa...

4 comments 4
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“No Strings” by Story Time

Submitted to Contest #81

The truth is she found herself unable to throw the words much further. Oliver would sit on her lap, and in addition to keeping his mouth moving, she’d also be expected to say her lines, and his, and get his voice across the room without moving her lips. All of this was too much, much too much, and her sister agreed that she needed a break from Oliver to rediscover her joy of performing. Three days on the Midwest-to-Northern Canada circuit taught her that a ventriloquist without a dummy is a hard sell, especially when in place of a dumm...

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“ Luke and Katie's Relationship Reunion” by Rutheanna Chang

Submitted to Contest #81

Hello everyone! My name is Luke Gates. I am 11 years old and I used to have a friend named Katie Lee. She is also 11 years old. But recently, she started to complain about literally anything. For example, once there was a fly just minding it’s own business, and then Katie told me to slap the fly because it was disgusting. I thought about killing an innocent fly was just not right, so I said no. And then she stared at the fly with disgust for another moment, and then walked on. So I started to hang out less and less with her because it is sta...

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“Begin Again” by Meggysa Nine

Submitted to Contest #81

I pushed the door and the chimes of the door sounded. It was seven in the morning when I came to the coffee shop I love to eat breakfast. I looked for a vacant table and saw one. I sat on the chair and placed my hand atop of the table. I waited for the waiter to come to me while watching the fast-moving vehicles outside the coffee shop.  Summer... I hate summer. It makes your skin itchy and sticky while your face becomes oily. "May I take your order, Ma'am Ash?" I am their regular customer and they memorised my name already.  ...

2 comments 2
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“Sweets for the Sweet” by Sam Newsome

Submitted to Contest #81

Sweets to the Sweet                             Candy, flowers, a fine meal with soft music and a fine wine was the assemblage that Evan associated with Valentine Day.  On this occasion he had a special reason to want a special evening.  Emily was a sweet girl.  She had many fine qualities that Evan admired.  She was as cute as hell.  She was by all app...

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“Kon Bon Wa” by Ali Anthony Bell

Submitted to Contest #81

Alexander Blackwell’s tongue glides over his lips as he savors his Mojito, and he draws deeply on his Camel Natural (no additives), his feet tapping under the table to the familiar lounge music. The air vibrates with Anggun’s sensual ‘Summer in Paris’. He glances at the time on his phone, and exhales slowly as he leans back. His gaze follows the smoke as it drifts up into the subdued light.Rumi Kaneko takes a last look at herself in the gold leaf mirror, adjusts the spaghetti straps on her white French lace crop top and glances at her dark b...

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“Another Us” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #81

Mike let a handful of sand slide through his fingers. He stared at Jenny. She hadn’t changed a bit. It was five years since they’d had that awful row. He couldn’t even remember what the argument was about. All he remembered was Jenny storming off and then sending him a text to say it was over between them. Now, quite by accident they were together on their favourite stretch of beach on the anniversary of their breakup.Jenny looked straight ahead. She loved to hear the seagulls and watch the waves crashing on the shore.“Do you remember h...

2 comments 2
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“Undying Love” by Sandy Ramnarine

Submitted to Contest #81

Adults would say true love is undying. Given experience everyone, soon learns to appreciate what love truly is. When I was a little girl, I showered with love from my grandparents. They were my mother's parents. They taught me that no one should have to go through life not knowing the feelings of love, and they showed me just that. I was six when I noticed how soft my grandpa would caress my grandma's hand and the look of adoration they would share. I knew it had to be love. I spent a lot of time with them, and they opened my mind to finding...

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“Love Never Dies” by Bodhini Jain

Submitted to Contest #81

 ‘Love Never Dies ‘ “I will surely find them”, I resolved to myself because Miss Suman has instructed strictly that tomorrow is the last date for project submission. When she says she means it and would never forgive anyone. I usually finish my work on the very day it is assigned but this time my favorite team has reached FIFA Finals for the first time so how could I miss this. The project was almost finish but was waiting for the designs that mummy was supposed to give me. My sweet mother is a fabulous fashion designer so she promise...

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“Taylor's Version” by Morgan Tasse

Submitted to Contest #81

Note: Inspired by a true story that happened merely last Valentine's Day"Have you listened to it yet?"Cassandra blurted excitedly, handing me her cell phone which almost fell out of my hands in her haste. Her yellow hair was a huge mess like she hasn’t combed in days. I almost laughed at the sight, my best friend since high school hasn’t aged a day, well… mentally. I shook my head in response and that only made her even more animated to make me listen to it now. We have been waiting for this song to come out for almost a year now but those d...

1 comment 1
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“Soul Mates” by Bobby Bone

Submitted to Contest #81

I could stare at you forever. I still want to hold you tight and never let you go. Your beautiful brown eyes speak to me without you ever saying a word. Even today, as I look at you, I experience the same feelings I did 60 years ago. Sitting comfortably in our living room I can still communicate and enjoy our moments together as I stare at your picture. We still share many memories today. Our house, small and comfortable, is where we shared our life together. Many moments were shared in this particular room and ...

2 comments 2
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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 | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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