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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

“55” by Marwa Gad

Submitted to Contest #81

I opened my eyes to see a table next to my bed with breakfast on it as usual. But something is different today there is a red flower in a small vase on the table. I cleared my eyes with my hands to see Sydney standing behind the table. “Good morning my love” I saw a huge smile on his face. I was still a bit sleepy, but I tried to make an effort to sit down in bed, he got closer and held my hand to help me out “good morning Sydney” he kissed my cheek and walked away starting to bring the table closer to me. “You know what today is?” I...

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“Remember” by Amanda Stuntz

Submitted to Contest #81

I can still remember the day we met all those years ago. We were both eighteen. You had just transferred for his last year of high school. When you flashed me that dimpled smile, I melted. Then I tripped on the steps. I was so embarrassed. You held out your hand and helped me up. It was so sweet. You even helped me pick up my books. I fell in love with you right there on those steps. Three years later, with trembling hands, you pulled a ring out of your pocket and stuttered through the process of asking me to marry you! I thought that was ...

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“moringa+mandarin” by Ayla Dhawan

Submitted to Contest #81

There are days I forget you exist, but then at night, you come visit me. In your velvet purple nightgown, you inch towards me so your lips are against my cheek. You smell of moringa flowers drenched in white wine, and it is only when I inhale you, I know it is you. You lie on your side of the bed, right beside me, but you never once stroke my fingers. You murmur as you do when you sleep, knowing I will sing every word that you whisper. Pyaar hua, ikraar hua hai. Pyaar se phir kyoon darrta hai dil. Kehta hai dil rasta mushkil. Maaloom nahin h...

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“Copper Arrows” by Sky Daniels

Submitted to Contest #81

See a penny pick it up all day long you’ll have good luck. Desiree Malone wasn’t superstitious yet, she needed something good in her life. She glanced at Mr & Mrs Franco they were good people and her job as their home care nurse was a godsend. She amended her thoughts she needed something better, luckier. An apartment she could afford that didn’t take two hours to get to in horrible rush hour traffic. One that was in a neighbourhood that didn’t have her clenching the mace that hung on her key chain. The wind picked up, som...

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“All Our Sea-Faiths” by L Killorin

Submitted to Contest #81

“It is not so unusual for the Gods to go quiet,” the Priestess says. She presses a gloved hand against the window. Reluctantly, Palasha follows the gesture. Bright droplets scatter on the glass. Outside, mist bathes the tangled hills. Above these knots of heather and gorse, clouds stir the sky, and above even these, Palasha pictures her unanswered prayers, supplications, curses, and taunts; she imagines them freezing in the upper reaches of the atmosphere and falling, unheard, as pinprick rain. “The rain still falls, and the tide...

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“Numbers” by Serena Green

Submitted to Contest #81

Eloise stared at the green door in front of her, momentarily lost in her own thoughts. Moments later, she let out a long sigh, before she let herself in with her own key. It wasn’t that she minded spending time with her grandmas, they were two of her favorite people in the whole world, after all. What she minded was the fact that it was Valentine’s Day and it was the first time she didn’t spend it with her best friend. Her best friend tonight had a date. Which wasn’t really the problem, if she was being honest. The problem was that her...

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“The one who is Yours” by Book Worm

Submitted to Contest #81

All doors and windows were tightly shut to prevent the hot wind from entering the house when the family retired for siesta on summer afternoons. Boisterous grandchildren visiting during their summer break were strictly instructed to lie down on the Persian carpet in the guest room brought from Kabul and shut their eyes. “Not a tweet out of any of you!” Grandfather shouted and shut the bedroom door. The moment the door closed, the guest room began to reverberate with the muffled chatter of caged children. Anu had closed her eyes lest the...

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“Howard and Addie” by Sandy Buxton

Submitted to Contest #81

Howard braced his arm to support her for the last few inches as she shuffled across the floor. A blindfold obscured much of her face. Her thinning white hair wisped over the dark cloth. With a smile, he bent and pecked a kiss onto her forehead. They were in the middle of a bland windowless room. One that could almost be found in hospitals, schools, prisons or offices across the country. The blank walls were lit by several dim lights reflecting on the disk on the ceiling and her pale terry cloth robe...

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“The date ” by Iona Baillie

Submitted to Contest #81

As Allison tilted her dazed head slightly up towards the brilliant blues and greens of the open sky she was faced again with the same pair of gorgeous blue eyes, beaming in the daylight, staring straight into her soul. She had thought she was hallucinating but then a shivering sensation stole a path from her clunky feet up her chilled back and plunged itself into her heart. Snapping back into reality she realised if she did not attempt a reply and fast this wonderful moment could mutate promptly into just another awkward encounter. “So…is ...

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“SENTIMENTAL, LOVES TO DANCE” by Margie Ricca

Submitted to Contest #81

SENTIMENTAL, LOVES TO DANCE “Sentimental, loves to dance and party. My goal is to become someone’s Prince Charming” posted next to a picture of a guy that looked like a mafia hitman. “‘Lucky in life, unlucky in Love’. Need the perfect woman to change my luck.” Then a slew of requirements for what this perfect woman should be next to a picture of a nerdy, unattractive, slovenly groomed guy. “I’m the Sugar Daddy you have dreamed of finding I know how to treat a lady” next to a guy who could be a Sumo Wrestler. Susan surfed through all ...

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“A perfect date” by Chiedza Melane

Submitted to Contest #81

Long after dark underneath the dark skies adorned by a charming, smiling moon and a host of winking stars, Myles and Laura sat, hands and hearts intertwined in mutual fondness. The vast lake that lay near them glistened in the perfect moonlight, giving a dreamy image of the moment. The soft movement of the water and the distant sound of traffic was as much as they could hear, from where they sat, apart from the giggles, laughs and other sounds of each other as they were engaged in interesting conversations. The enticing reds, oranges and pin...

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“Fun Ride” by Paz Harel

Submitted to Contest #81

"Are we getting in?" Cora says. "I think so.. I mean- I don’t know" Nate looks at the keys, jangling on the ignition. She strokes the hood with her finger, "If we don’t have a special place to go to… at least we get to ride in a special vehicle." It is not just a special machine. It is his Boss's convertible Camero. Nate have dreamt about her for a long time. From some reason, tonight is his chance. Now, alone at night in the parking lot, it is just a matter of action. They both lean on the sides of the hood. rain starts pouring. "...

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“A First Date” by Stephen Etheridge

Submitted to Contest #81

He had taken a great deal of care over his appearance. He thought that was right and proper. After all, this lady, Catherine, had made the effort in replying to his introductory email on Plenty of Fish with a witty, intelligent response. They had corresponded for a short while, each interaction more intriguing than the last. And she had responded immediately with "2pm" when he suggested they meet! That had surprised him. She meant two in the afternoon the very next day. Decisive, no hanging around with this woman. Worthy of him taking a grea...

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“Clandestine Operations” by Emily Brownlee

Submitted to Contest #81

“Let’s get something straight, Blade,” Nellie said aggressively as she strode up to the booth and slid into the seat across from her rival. “I’m not here to play games. Tell me what I want to know or you won’t be walking out of here unharmed.” The other agent maintained her cool, unruffled demeanour as Nellie entered. She sat leaning contemptuously against the wall of the booth, arms crossed and one leg casually folded over the other. “Glad you could finally make it, Onyx,” she responded, flicking her dark eyes over to Nellie as she spo...

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“An Unexpected Arrival” by ConstipatedGiraffe95 🦒

Submitted to Contest #81

Leah was a very particular person. Let me just give you an example. She liked her eggs in a circular shape (thus her mold), exactly medium-rare, sprinkled with half a teaspoon of salt—no more, no less—lightly dipped in Pompeii’s Deluxe Olive Oil, set on a china plate lined with parsley and basil. You get the idea. The only one benefit that came with being picky was that she got her way… most of the time. One of the disadvantages of being so picky was that not only was Leah picky in food, but also people. You see, this was a problem. ...

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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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