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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

“His Name Is Theo” by 💖♎ℂℍℝ𝕀𝕊𝕋𝕐 ℍ𝕆𝔽𝔽𝕄𝔸ℕℕ♎💖

Submitted to Contest #81

My life has been a struggle but has also been exciting. As for the moment, there are lots of things I don't remember.I had moved back to my hometown in 2017. I hadn't been here in 25 years. "Wow, feels good to be home." This was a place I tried to run from for 18 years and now, 25 years later, I am running back. The lake was always so inviting. I live on a lake called Texoma. It is right on the red river between Oklahoma and Texas. I am originally from Oklahoma too but have lived all over since I graduated high school. Illinois, Vi...

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“Remember Me” by ℂ𝕁 𝕄.

Submitted to Contest #81

“Aww, Nicky. Do you remember this day?” My best friend Pepper asked me as she picked up an old photo of me and my old crush Andrew. “We were so young!” I replied as I took a closer look. I smiled as I remembered everything that happened that day. Andy and I were 15 years old and spent the day at the beach. I was holding an ice cream cone while watching him surf. I remembered how he was so obsessed with his golden-brown hair. While I barely paid any attention to mine.“It was so cute how you guys were very different yet so alike. Well, op...

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“A post-apocalyptic love story ” by Ruth Porritt

Submitted to Contest #81

When I first met Grant, he was very nearly naked. I was on my daily run around my new home, bored out of my mind, and almost asleep. He was tall, well-muscled, and lean. I thought, for a moment, that I was seeing some sort of hallucination, and I was quite pleased with myself for imagining such a perfect male specimen.“Well done, Emily,” I said. My Greek god smiled. “Well, now, what do we have here?” he said. His eyes lingered on my chest, and I realized...

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“Till Death Do Us Part” by Eddie Thawne

Submitted to Contest #81

20th January, 2021.**Diary Entry**Some people don't believe in love. True love. Well, I understand them when they say they don't because I, too once didn't either. I used to believe that it could only be found in the old dusty pages of rusted novels. That it was purely born of the author's fantasy and imagination, nothing more. The whole idea of love irritated me because I thought it was exaggerated unduly. It was painted perfect and I felt it too good to be true. Nothing in this world is perfect and there is no such thing as "too good" or i...

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“The Shell Station on Highway 41” by Patricia Jablonski

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #81

Donnie was in the convenience store paying for gas while Maddie sat in the hot car with the windows up. She flipped the visor down, took a look in the mirror, and cringed. Her lips were chapped, her hair limp—and none too clean—and she was starting to get a pimple on her forehead. She watched the guy at the next pump tend to his Harley. He had filled the tank, making sure not to drip gas on it. He’d wiped the cap and replaced it, folded and stowed the rag, made sure his bag was bungeed, zipped up his navy blue windbreaker, climbed on,...

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“Remember Me?” by Jasey Lovegood

Submitted to Contest #81

Remember Me? I stare at the boy in front of me, is that… Chase? I squint, trying to get a good glimpse of the figure ahead. I’m so stupid, I forgot to wear my contacts on the first day of university. The tall, broad-shouldered boy starts to walk in my direction, and I freeze. I look down at my plain cuffed jeans and a long-sleeved polo shirt, suddenly feeling very self-conscious. ‘He’s getting closer, Avery,” The inner monologue in my voice cries out nervously, and my legs seize up. I can’t run away, not now. This is my only chance. ‘Ave...

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“Clyde and Tammy” by Michael Boquet

Submitted to Contest #81

"Happy anniversary, my love.""Happy anniversary to you too. Oh, Clyde. Can you believe we've been married for fifty years?""Of course I believe it, Tammy. I've loved you since the first time I saw you.""Tell me the story of the first time we met, Clyde.""You've heard it so many times. You really want me to tell it again?""Please, dear. I love the way you tell it.""You had just moved to town and were driving to your aunt's house. Something on the side of the road caught your eye, so you pulled over. Then when you tried to get back on the road...

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“Down to Earth” by Tom .

Submitted to Contest #81

“Look it happens, you have fallen off the treadmill of this pretend normal life. There are so many cracks in this delicate, false reality that it’s easy to fall through one if you’re not careful. Suddenly, right now, you can’t find any meaning or value. This for you is the first time you have discovered that the life you’re living sucks, but you are lucky because most of us have always known that. You can just as easily have everything you ever wanted except now you know it has absolutely no meaning. You may feel these enormous waves of sadn...

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“The Café with Curls” by Melissa Louise Murdoch

Submitted to Contest #81

I remember the moment, the exact moment the feeling rushed through me, as though lightning had struck me headfirst and overreaching below; She walked into the cafe on a sunny winter’s mid-morning, a café that stood cuddled between apartment buildings, and the only café quiet enough to think in. Sunday’s for most were for churchgoers, and many shops and restaurants would only open their doors in the late afternoon, but not this café. She was quint and comfortable and bold enough to keep its arms open to the public, but small enough to welcome...

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“Does He Remember Me?...I Think Not!?” by Jade Orien🍀

Submitted to Contest #81

As I bite on my wooden No. 2 pencil typing a report for my boss at my desk, I see a familiar face walk by on the corner of my eye.A familiar face of an old crush that I had 14 years ago!The smell of his Calvin Klein cologne sent me to heaven as my eyes wander in his direction.Without a doubt, our eyes latched.He looked at me with a generous smile as I stare at him stargazed.The pencil that I was chewing on fell out of my mouth with my saliva, as I stood up from my squeaky chair to get a better look at him.I felt the same rush that I felt whe...

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“Elaine” by Blane Britt

Submitted to Contest #81

I was insanely in love with Elaine Alvarez. All the time from grade school to when we were on are way to college. I truly believed at the time we were meant for one another. Well that’s what I truly believed in my head of heads. When she joined the cheerleader squad at UCLA University in the fall of 1999. Things changed. She was so beautiful that a country back woods boy from Arkansas like myself didn’t realize how big city life would change her. I should have realized at the time when the multitude of letters I sent, kept coming back ...

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“Building love” by H L McQuaid

Submitted to Contest #81

If it weren’t for the taxi cab jumping the curb, Evelyn might never had met him. His steadying presence saved her from falling onto the cold concrete of the uncaring sidewalk.“Oh, pardon me!” she said, her hand flattening against him as she regained her footing.He regarded her placidly.She withdrew her hand, blushing slightly, leaving a smear of mustard on his sleek limestone-colored coat.“That will never do, let me wipe it up. I’ve got a napkin here somewhere, just a moment. I don’t suppose you could hold my hot dog for a minute?” Evelyn sa...

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“I do, Esme” by Jasey Lovegood

Submitted to Contest #81

I Do, Esme This has to be perfect. Esme is coming in a couple of minutes, and my girl is never late. Which means I don’t have long to finalise the dinner preparations. “Okay, cutlery, check. Fairylights, check. Food?” I glance at my Rolex, “Hmm, dinner will be ready soon, that’s what the Head Chef said. Flowers? Check. Myself? Check.” The doorbell rings through the second floor’s intercom speakers, and I peer at my reflection, with my phone’s camera. Hmm, could’ve fixed my hair a little, but no matter, she’s here! “Hi, Witchy. You look...

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“Watching the Sunset with You” by Jasey Lovegood

Submitted to Contest #81

Watching the Sunset With YouI had never really understood love until I met Griffin. Falling in love was never in my life plan until I met him. All my life, I had believed love was overrated. My parents had never had the best relationship, and if there was chemistry between them, it was long gone. I didn’t know what to expect when it came to relationships. I met Griffin the day my friends invited me to meet up at a park. It was the talk of my group for weeks.“Aubrey,” My friend, Tessa had said. “We’re going to meet all our friends from high s...

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“The Curl at The Nape of His Neck” by Zahra Daya

Submitted to Contest #81

Golden flecks adorn the honey brown of my iris. Only my eyes pierce through it all. I stare into the mirror, at the bright pink concealing my natural, plump lips, at the tight dress, revealing too many curves than I’m comfortable with, at the heavily caked-on makeup, obscuring my soft, blemished skin holding all the memorable scars of my past. I gaze at my now-unrecognizable hair, curled and sprayed into a trending fashion. I wouldn’t realize it was me staring back if it weren’t for the eyes. My eyes pierce through the whole facade, begging ...

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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.

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