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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

“We Meet Again” by Mae's World

Submitted to Contest #81

He grabbed his bag and rushed out of his apartment. He was late. Again. This was the third time in two weeks. Such irresponsible act wasn't a part of his repertoire. He hailed a taxi and hopped in giving the driver the location of the hotel. If Madison doesn't already fire him, he'd know for sure that she really did have a crush on him. She was his boss, and she was hot. But she wasn't his type. That didn't mean he'd deride the credibility of their growing friendship. They reached his destination and he paid the driver and rushed out of the ...

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“Ophelia” by Alex Kamczyc

Submitted to Contest #81

I could have sworn Jason Voorhees was stalking me. I’m serious. For the past four nights, while I worked on my final exam, all I could hear was the chih chih chih ca ca ca he made before killing his victims. I guess if I ever did run into him, I would try and spark a conversation with him and talk him out of killing me. A lot of people would run and hide from him, but not only am I superbly out of shape, I kind of think he’s misunderstood in a way. Who knows? I've watched those movies a million times when I was younger, and no ...

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“A SURPRISE LOVE” by Gerard Watson

Submitted to Contest #81

Imani lingered in the shower for hours, lamenting over Keyshawn’s unexpected break up with her last night. A three-year relationship she believed was heading towards a marriage proposal ended without warning. Still in shock, the idea hadn’t wholly sunk in. Imani imagined Keyshawn’s words were part of a bad dream that she would wake up from and be glad it was only a dream. But her aching heart told her differently. As the warm, soothing water hugged her body, she realized Keyshawn was never coming b...

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“Cherry Blossoms & Violets” by Ivy Kova

Submitted to Contest #81

"Please, Mr. Jasper." I could feel my knees trembling; how could I stop them? Asking an old white man to cut up his tree for a first date would already be bad enough, doing so after the balcony incident is definitely a great reason to kick me off his property. A scrutinizing gaze scoured me. I hoped my outfit waved a white flag of modesty; has he ever seen me in casual business attire? Shoes polished, two buttons open and a bouquet of fresh roses should hint at innocent (well, innocent enough) activities. "Cherry blossoms, huh?" Hi...

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“A Problem Shared” by Emma Knights

Submitted to Contest #81

I had picked up a bunch of roses from the market along with three bags of produce for tonight’s romantic meal. It was Valentine’s day, again, and I wanted to make it special. Special in the way that something is when it is repeated every year with no surprises. There is specialness in having repetition, right? However, three bags worth was probably too much. I was awkwardly walking trying to carry them all as who wants to make several trips when one awkward, shoulder-hurting one would do! I probably looked daft with all the bags and with a b...

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“I'll take care you, even after I die” by Beth Murray

Submitted to Contest #81

Beth turned 78 years old, and had been widowed a year prior. It was her last night in the house where she that her late husband shared their life together in. She was moving to an assisted living community. It was time that she come back to the outside world instead of hiding in her home. Yes, it had been a wonderful past 57 years. However, she was no longer interested in residing in a drafty old cabin alone. Plus, she had sold all the live-stock, and horses just to pay the farm hands on the huge 100-acre piece of land. Her boys had fam...

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“Nostalgic Magnolia” by Allison Wonderland

Submitted to Contest #81

It's October 17th and today is Hassan's big 3-0. I can hear him pulling his truck into the driveway and our windows rattling from his speakers blasting music to full capacity. I always tell him, "Stop blasting that music. We live in a good neighborhood now, you're going to scare the neighbors!!" He'd laugh, walk over to me, wrap his arms around my waist, kiss me on the cheek and say, "I'm sorry, my love."Ugh! I hate when he says that. "My love." I hate when he says it because he knows he can say it to get out of everything. He will say it an...

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“Tomatoes and Basils” by Aiden Solomon

Submitted to Contest #81

Adam placed the plates on the dining table, hastily setting the two spoons and forks beside it. He glanced at the clock, 6:53, in seven minutes Troy is going to knock on his apartment door and they’re going to celebrate their third anniversary. It was an interesting thought that they’ve been together for three years. Adam remembered when they first met, on that coffee shop down the block with the bright white neon sign. The candleholder that he bought from the department store fitted well with the aesthetic that he planned out. A romantic ...

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“It had to end this way if I cared ” by Athaliah Taeniel

Submitted to Contest #81

It had to end this way if I cared.He blew and blew but the fire was not lighting. Or was it a sign? No, it was not. He had spent hours putting together such a setup in the cold weather and at last the fire was stubbornly refusing to get a proper flame. Not to mention how the minutes sprinted by as if there was a prize wherever they were rushing to. Finally with a huge below the flames crackled and bathed the corner with an orange glow. Great.Next, he checked his list....

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“Dinner Table” by Redana U

Submitted to Contest #81

Hans found an old table in the basement. Dust and spiderwebs enveloped its wooden cracks, its joints creaking as he carried it to the dining room. It’s indeed a rickety ancient thing but it’s sturdy enough, Hans thought as his eye gleamed with weary satisfaction. As he brought it to the faint light illuminating the dining room, he noticed some mold forming on its surface. Perhaps it hadn’t been cleaned out completely when it was last used, he speculated. He couldn’t quite remember either why the table was in the basement. As Hans dusted...

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“Anemones” by Zoe Knight

Submitted to Contest #81

When Jonathan started cooking and realized that the prawns he bought yesterday had already managed to go bad, he couldn’t help but think life was playing some kind of cruel joke on him. He spent weeks planning this night. Everything else was already prepared. The apartment was spotless. Freshly pressed napkins were laid neatly on the table. Expensive wine was cooling in the fridge. A bouquet of flowers was supposed to be delivered to his door in thirty minutes. And now this whole dinner idea was about to turn into a disaster.His lungs seemed...

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“MORE THAN RED HEARTS” by Claire Tennant

Submitted to Contest #81

It was late afternoon and the formal living area was ready. Shona, stood back and surveyed her handiwork. Red ribbons intertwined with white heart printed ones, hanging from both the chandelier and window. In the adjoining alcove, the dining room table was set in such a way that the classiest restaurant in town would approve. The best glassware, china and cutlery sets, placed beside her favourite table mats hardly used since she and Andrew were married; and cloth napkins, rather than the usual paper variety, graced the t...

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“Flower Girl” by Sara Blanch

Submitted to Contest #81

Petra Freshly cleaned linen napkins along with a perfectly ironed tablecloth...check. Jasmine and Eucalyptus scented candles...check. Crystal chalices and freshly polished cutery...check. Althought it was cliche I know to have a first date at my family's restaurant, I couldn't get more than a couple of hours off work...and besides, there was a reason why my parents restaurant was the most famous vegetarian restaurant in all of Fae. Thankfully, this blind date that had been set up through mutual friends...seemed to understand crazy work sched...

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“The Thrill Ain't Gone” by Lucy Dickens

Submitted to Contest #81

"Alright, I'll see you then," Melissa said. She shook her feathered blond curls as she spoke on the phone. She set it down with relief. Her blazer and pants were difficult to move in as she notated in her calendar. She recorded the last appointment she made and reviewed her schedule; she was booked solid. That meant Melissa could rest her poor ear from making phone calls on Saturday. She pulled back her sleeve to check her heart-shaped gold watch. It was only 6:30: if she hurried she could make it home in time. "Melissa, you sticking...

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“The Special Dinner” by Chris Culpepper

Submitted to Contest #81

The wine bottles seemed to stare at John as if daring him to pick the wrong one. Choosing the right wine was always a challenge for him. That's why he normally left this chore for his wife, Claire. But it was tricky when he was preparing a meal for her. Then it was left to him to make the choice. But John was prepared this time. He knew what wines Claire liked and he just needed to see which ones matched the meal he was preparing. He heard the liquor store door chime as another customer came in. This was a busy store, that irritating "ding...

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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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