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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

“Bed of Lies” by Racheal Chie

Submitted to Contest #81

Everyone dreads that call from a hospital where a loved one is staying not knowing if it’s good or bad news. That call from the army informing you that the child you raised passed. It’s a loss no one wants to hear but what if that loss is something that had to happen in order for life to happen anew. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes. What if you were the one who had to die? The phrase no pain no gain comes to mind but how much pain can anyone take in order to gain if not give up because we are human. She’d given up on ever hearing...

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“A love alloy” by Vibes Blossom

Submitted to Contest #81

Lia held Nancy’s shoulders firmly as they stood in front of a walking wad-rope mirror. “Remember,” she said, “keep the pepper spray ready. Make sure you get to know the scent flavor he doesn’t like and spray that one on him. And aim the spray at his dominant eye, the one he uses to wink you. Okay?” Lia was Nancy’s curvy and ‘sassy’ best friend as she called it. “Oh gurl, why are you so ardently sweet?” Nancy said kindly. “But relax, really, he seems like a decent guy. A nice oval face shape, with brown hair. And two adorable dimple...

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“All In A Day's Work” by Peace Nakiyemba

Submitted to Contest #81

“Fork on the left, knife on the right, spoon at the top,” Nel mumbles. “Fold the napkin three times. Smooth out the folds to make it stick. Place in wine glass. Put handmade menu on the plate.” He provides the commentary for every move he makes. The table is not impressive in the least but he works with what he has. He places the table for two right in the entrance hallway. No way for them to miss it. It is the place with the best lighting and within easy reach of the kitchen and without any windows – just the full length mirrors on both s...

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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...

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“Green” by Diana Quill

Submitted to Contest #81

Jordan:There were no butterflies. No, I felt like I was going to throw up. Anxiety stretched out the lining of my stomach, and I felt full and flustered. I can do better- I can do this. It’s just a date. My flatmate set this up. They always did, the type of social butterfly to give other people butterflies, whose conversations took flight with an ease that made me stand still with shock. So carefree, so easy-going, conversation and laughter flowing unbelievably effortlessly. More friends than minutes in a day, more numbers on ...

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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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“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...

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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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“Doughnuts and Ax Belts and Really Weird Dates” by Ceci Calvino

Submitted to Contest #81

Please comment and tell me what you think! So, in case my mentor tracks you down and asks you, tell him I'd been seeing the human for at least a month before he asked me out. In the mornings I go to this doughnut place near my... living quarters. Of course I try to stay in the corner... you would too if you were me. But although I tried almost every corner table, I still got stares and points, if anyone noticed me at all. So one day I got there early and I picked a different corner table. I sat back with my six doughnuts, leaned against the ...

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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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“Stuck” by Fly Ball

Submitted to Contest #81

Stuck“Are you stuck?” Viv’s dark eyes glitter up at Ty from her cross-legged position on the imitation Kashan rug.“No, I’m not stuck. Just let me…” Bracing himself on the round, knee-high table, he eases down onto a large sequined sitting pillow on the floor. “Whose idea was this anyway – Moroccan food, no chairs, no shoes…” Tucking a well-stuffed velvet cushion under his bent knee, he motions toward Viv’s crossed legs. “And there is no way I can sit like that.” He pulls his shin in close to his body with both hands and there’s a sharp crack...

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“A Blue Valentines' Day” by Chandler J.

Submitted to Contest #81

"Hey pal, how have you been these days? It's been a while since we really caught up on life," John Wood said to Mirtillo Togusa in a friendly tone. "I've been doing really good! After all, I did get into the college I was looking into!" Mirtillo exclaimed. "You got into Crystal River College??" Inquired John. "Yup!! I sure did!" Mirtillo replied in an excited tone of voice. "Dude that's amazing! Congratulations!" John congratulated Mirtillo while patting him on the shoulder. Mirtillo couldn't help but smile. "Thank you, how ha...

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“The other phone.” by Ronnie Leek

Submitted to Contest #81

The nurses were changing shifts when I eventually got there, but I made sure to thank each of them personally before I went in to see him. They had been lovely and were genuinely sorry that I hadn’t been with him when he died. They tried to make me feel better by saying how difficult it is finding a parking space at that time of day. I was more concerned that I wasn’t crying, and how that might look to them. I’m not a great one for showing my emotions and I know I can sometimes come over a bit cold. My mother always used to say, ...

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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 ...

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“Old Friends” by Roger Crane

Submitted to Contest #81

Note: I am going to "bang" out this one just to keep my hand in here. We'll see what comes out in the next hour or two. This is what I meant when I told my kids "just write whatever comes into your minds"--which is the way to get creativity flowing.Old Friends He got up before her, as he almost always did, and prepared the coffee--black for him, but creamer set out for her. Habit made it easy, even though he had his aches and pains, his stiff back and neck, nuisances that he had long ago reconciled with by deciding they were not going t...

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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!

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