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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 – 158 stories

Stories

“Dinner for Two” by Steve Cripwell

Submitted to Contest #81

I like cooking, it’s therapeutic. Cooking for another person is particularly healing, especially for someone who appreciates what they have been served. My kitchen holds everything I need to prepare and cook the finest food. I just lack the motivation to do it for just myself. Janice has always loved her food and so, when we decided to have a date-night in, I was excited and keen to show her that I have maintained my culinary skills since we’ve drifted apart. Even though we are still married, we live totally separate lives. She lives upstair...

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“Too Little Too Late” by Kieri Zink

Submitted to Contest #81

Our first date took place in the rain. We hadn’t planned it that way, but when I arrived at the sculpture garden and saw him patiently waiting (I have a tendency to run late) in his rain jacket, I knew we had something special. We spent two hours walking around in the rain before our hunger, not our wet shoes, got the best of us. “I know a place,” he said. “I thought you’d never been here before?” I asked. “I haven’t been.” He shot me a coy look. “I did some research, I think you’ll like this place.”...

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“Avalanche of Love” by Pat Holben

Submitted to Contest #81

“How do you know who will be the one?” Today could be the when it would start, an amazing location the where, and this beautiful woman that might be the who. The wine was chilling in the refrigerator, the table was set, candles ready. He had found her without looking, unintentionally, she had asked him for help, and it had started from there. This was a new start, there was no rush; he would let things progress naturally. One kindness, one look, and one gesture at a time it would be built. &n...

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“Missing Forty-two” by Qwynn Pan

Submitted to Contest #81

“C’mon Thirty-seven, you have to see this.” I hesitate, reluctant to take his hand, “I’m not so sure, Forty-two, if the Dignitaries catch us⸺” Forty-two grins, “Of course they’ll kill us. That’s obvious, I know. I’m pretty sure everybody knows.” He entwines my fingers in his, lowering his voice, “But they won’t, I promise.” I squeeze his hand, giving a weak smile as I tried to bring sense back into my unresponsive nerves. ‘He’s your best friend, Thirty-seven, keep a clear mind.’ Forty-two wears the usual plain, beige t-shirt and sweatp...

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“Forget Me Not” by Betty Wilson

Submitted to Contest #81

Juniper never thought she’d see Robin’s face again. Never thought she’d look into those deep blue eyes that have just the right amount of green in them to mimic the globe, a miniature planet Earth spinning in front of her. Never thought she’d hear that voice, like the first notes of a song you’ve heard a million times but can never remember the name of. Never thought she’d feel her heart somersault inside her chest, stumbling over the dismount like it did when she was fifteen. But here she is, waiting at the bus stop on the street wh...

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“I KNOW YOU” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #81

I was in the stationery department of the mall to buy paper. I told the sales girl “This paper you’re offering me looks too thin. I’m sure if I write even lightly on one side the other side would be smudged and I wouldn’t be able to use it,” “That’s the only paper we now have sir.” “Right now I won’t buy. Thanks.” As I was walking out I saw Kitty walking past and said “Haven’t seen you in a long time. You look the same. I succeeded your late husband Dinshaw as the general manager of the bank. You chose him rejecting me. Why are we standing ...

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“Sol in the Storm” by Jose Duron

Submitted to Contest #81

"It's now or never," I tell myself as I pace up and down my living room. My eyes are fixed on my allied and enemy, my phone. The instrument of salvation and damnation. The portal to instant gratification and vanity. The possible demise of humanity or instant salvation of the world. All that in one little box, a little portal to everything I could ever want. And at this moment, in the middle of this historical snowstorm, I find myself wanting only one thing. Her. It's been seven years since we graduated High School. Seven years since we sai...

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“Pistachio” by Konstantina Cheiladaki

Submitted to Contest #81

I miss seeing people’s faces on the street. I remember my art teacher saying how the nose is the most prominent part of a face; well, Mr. Jackson, I haven’t seen a single nose in eight months. This probably sounds insane (does it really?) but I don’t know anymore. I quit smoking, I just chaw pistachio shells now, the crunching sound they make when they break is far more compelling than the smoke. I spend a whole day watching the neighbor’s cat pace up and down before the window. I don’t know her name; I call her Jade; she looks like a Jad...

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“BUT YOU LOOK WHO SHE IS” by Mara Masolini

Submitted to Contest #81

BUT YOU LOOK WHO SHE IS Pierre ,since he had divorced, about ten years ago, lived alone in a terraced house in the green area of the provincial town where he was born. He lived alone, but he was alone up to a certain point, since he was surrounded with animals: three cats, one dog, one goat, and then chickens, pigeons, geese, canaries and parrots. Yes, because since he was the only one to decide how to live, he had given way to his sympathy for animals. His children, a son and a daughter, were now grown up and they lived in other cities...

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“Blessing in Disguise” by Maple's The Pumpkin Lepus

Submitted to Contest #81

The bed shaking as I kept changing my sleeping position. I tried to find a spot where I can comfortably close my heavy sleepy eyes. I turned to the right, the left of me feel blank. I turned to the left, it felt it can’t compromise with me. That night, it was breezy, cold, and chill all around my room which was the cause I could not sleep properly, in my guess, until I felt like my whole body jumped without me even moving upon hearing a girl’s sobbing at the end of the corner of my bed. Awaking me up from my bed only to be shocked and found ...

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“Grey” by Gail Andres

Submitted to Contest #81

Alexa sighed as she got yet another text from her ex. He kept apologizing to her but she didn’t want to forgive him. She and her most recent boyfriend had just broken up and she really didn’t need this right now. Hesitantly, she read the text he wrote. I’m really sorry. I know I messed up and I really did change. I wanted to be better than I was. Please give me another chance to show you that. I haven’t touched a drop ever since you left. Can we at least talk about it? She thoroughly thought about it. She's been there for...

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“Arrange Marriage” by Joshna Jothika

Submitted to Contest #81

Hi, I'm Joe. My parents are looking for my future hubby. Today finally my mom and dad found a well-settled boy. Tomorrow he and his family will visit my house. I'm so eager to see him. NEXT DAY MORNING At Joe's house "Honey is our child ready?" Joe's dad asked. "Yes, honey she woke up soon today, wore an awesome dress looking into the mirror from the morning" replied Joe's mom. "Happy to hear it, honey. I hope our daughter will be so happy in the future" Joe's dad said to his wife. "Yeah, honey doesn't worry she will be so so happy " replied...

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“An Invisible String ” by Megan Jane Armstrong

Submitted to Contest #81

Another text. With a laboured sigh I placed my phone face-down on my desk, hurt coursing through my veins like poison. I pushed my chair back, the wheels catching on the edge of my grey rug, which covered the floor in the middle of my bedroom. Three texts in two hours, all of which I left unanswered. I sent my last reply twenty-four hours ago, a promise that everything was fine, but today, that began to seem increasingly more unlikely. I crossed the room to my mirror, a full length one nailed to my wardrobe door; I took in the grey c...

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“the uncovered wounds of the hidden truth” by Lindy West

Submitted to Contest #81

Life is tough but l know for sure that the rumbled thunder of the lost islands is somewhere but still surrounds the inner circle of fate . A soul and a heart connect , mind of treasure wonders alone in the night of the stressed and wanted submission of authority and management for the reeds of love .Lets face it , relationships are durable but still it all lies in us people.Pioneer Henry Ford once said, '' Why do l get the whole person when all l want is a pair of hands?'' A theory waiting for an answer whilst time still ticks but never stop...

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“Virus, Lovely” by Gnome Webrews

Submitted to Contest #81

A scream pierced the air, shrill and wretched it hung in the chilled spring air. Just a few days ago Ta-Da would have been unaware of what could have caused the scream. Just a few days ago he had been blissfully unaware of his own warped existence pushing him towards the unachievable goal to cure humanity. But still, he lumbered towards the scream, distorted body aching with every step. Why had he awoken? Why did none of the other Doctors seem to have the same awareness he had? How long had he existed, blissfully unaware of what he had becom...

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$50

Prize money

915

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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