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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

“Second Chances” by Christine John

Submitted to Contest #81

She stared at the text with disbelief. It had been almost ten years since they had spoken with each other. Although they had tried to stay friends, things had not ended well. But now, suddenly out of the blue, he was reaching out to her. And on Valentine’s Day, no less. Julia tried to stay composed as she started to respond. He wanted to meet and talk. Rather than risking being disappointed in a public restaurant, Julia used the pandemic as an excuse to suggest dinner at her place. He agreed. Julia hung up the phone and tried to remember the...

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“Cherish the Memories” by Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #81

Cherish the memories.”Ms.Rossie shuffles across the tile floor, still dressed in her nightgown. The aroma of an apple blossoms air freshener lingers throughout the kitchen. Simultaneously, the rays from the late morning sun spread into the corners, illuminating her table. Ms. Rossie takes a dishcloth and cleans up the crumbs left from her breakfast.Ms. Rossies’ nimble fingers trace the rims of her fine bone china, a gift from Emmitt. ‘Perfect,’ as she sets the table for their romantic dinner tonight. ‘Oh, I’ve almost forgotte...

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“One Romantic Evening” by Randi W

Submitted to Contest #81

Evelyn's weathered hands once again tied the apron strings behind her back into a perfect bow; the smell of bread filled the tiny kitchen alongside the smell of meat pies. She checked on the progress of the food before swiftly moving to the dining room; Evelyn gathered the fine china crockery, pure silver silverware and snow white candles from the china cabinet. As was her habit each Sunday, Evelyn laid out the lace table cloths and decorated the table with her best crockery and utensils as she cooked her dear Albert's favourite meal: meat...

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“The Secret Heartbreak” by Aayushman Gusain

Submitted to Contest #81

“Mom! is the lasagna ready?” Saito asked in a shuttered confusing voice. He was very quick that evening making the arrangements. Self-cheering words fled from his mouth as birds in the open air. Moving upstairs to his room, he stood by the stairs at the corner from where he could have proper surveillance of the dining room so, he turned his eyes from one end to the other couple of times. Dim lights, the table was set as perfect as if it was just waiting for a newlywed queen to have her first and finest meal, the flowers on the table wa...

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“Love With You Was Never Easy” by Isabella Jayde

Submitted to Contest #81

Making dinner for tonight was easy. It was simple spaghetti and meatballs, with the special Italian flair my mother had breathed into me as I grew up. I added my Grandmother’s special seasoning, making every part of the sauce as perfect as can be. While I let that simmer, I went out into the spacious living room. Although I don’t remember how I came to pick this place, I knew it was my… home. I’ve always been here, but my past memories have clouded how I thought. I do not know why I picked this place, or why I decided to settle down i...

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“Silks of Heaven” by Matt Brooks

Submitted to Contest #81

The day had started before the sun was up, being out of bed, showering, then grabbing a granola bar on top of the kitchen counter for breakfast and arriving for her 7 am-7 pm shift. This was the beginning of a typical 12 hour shift for Elizabeth, starting off her morning at the V.A. hospital. At the first of her nursing career she had dreaded her first 12 hour shift, but got used to it after having a few years under her belt, just turning 30 that day. Elizabeth did her work, having a smile on her face all day because she k...

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“Lost in the Echo” by Tamara Sours

Submitted to Contest #81

Ahna sat quietly in the corner booth of a cafe' on the corner of Main st. in the town of Unionville. Well, if you could even call it a town. The population was 234 in the winter months and most of that were families that had lived there for at least 3 generations. Although Unionville had all the modern conveniences, the cafe' was the only place visitors could get Wifi. With the purchase of a cup of freshly percolated coffee and one of Jesse Smallwoods prize winning blueberry cheesecake bombs of course. Ahna had grown up outside of town on...

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“Karma” by Mary R.

Submitted to Contest #81

It’s Valentine’s Day, and I am alone, utterly single, and decidedly regretting my life choices. The bar is overflowing with the giggles of drunken bachelors, drinking away their Valentine’s Day. No couple can be found within a five mile radius of this place. I’m probably the only sober person here, wedged in a corner booth by a TV blaring a soap opera that some older women appear to be very fixated on. I stare at my salad, as if all the answers in the universe can be found mixed in with my lettuce and tomatoes. I push my plate away. I’m not ...

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“The Question” by John Salem

Submitted to Contest #81

Hey, I know this is probably coming out of nowhere, but I just really need to get something off of my chest. I like you. I’ve liked you for a long time now, I just haven’t been able to muster up enough courage to approach you about it. If I’m being honest with myself, I’ve liked you ever since the first day I saw you, freshman year. You were sitting in lunch with all of your friends talking and I thought something along the lines of, “what a bunch of vapid, stupid girls; I can hardly hear myself think over all their jabbering.” I know...

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“A Thirty Year Old Crush: A Story of Romance and Deception” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #81

This is my story. It is thirty years now since I graduated from high school in this part of the city, and left for a job offer across town, never to return until now. What had been what seemed like a going nowhere job at a hardware store became a career that has just led to an executive job back ‘home’ where I grew up. I need the familiar now, as my second wife and I divorced a year ago.It is funny how certain memories are triggered when you return to the places you once saw nearly every day. After moving in close to wher...

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“A PAIR OF SILVER SHOES AND TWO LOVES OF A LIFETIME” by Nynn Arwena Tamayo

Submitted to Contest #81

A PAIR OF SILVER SHOES AND TWO LOVES OF A LIFETIME THEY lay half hidden in the shadows, unbuckled and in disarray; taken off hastily after a long night’s dance. She comes and goes seeing it all the time but never bothering to return them to its box. She just can’t yet. She wanted a now fading memory to linger like the favorite perfume she hadn't had for years. She recalls how she got this lovely pair of shoes in the first place. She and hubby hopped from store to store in the crowded city to find one that matches her beaded a...

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“Failed Memory” by Stellan Quin

Submitted to Contest #81

Failed Memory I still remember her name, the one that I loved the most. Her warm smiles seemed to light up the sky, and her laughs filled my heart with joy. Selary Cinsha was her name, and just like her, it was beautiful. I first met her in high school, her tan skin and long silky black hair differed from everyone else. She was talking to her friends, chuckling and smiling. I found myself frozen in time, looking at her perfect blue eyes. Then, she looked at me and waved with a bright smile, and in that instant, I knew I was going to fall f...

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“Dating in Lockdown” by Alistair Chenery

Submitted to Contest #81

As Alice swipes left for the umteeth time sitting on the couch with red wine in hand she thought to herself is this what my life has become in lock down. No I'm successful I have a good job, well a shitty job but it pays well and that's what matters right? I have a mortgage which means the banks owns my house I'm just paying them rent and intrest I say house its more like a two bedroom flat in a part of town I wouldn't have dreamed of walking down when I was younger but you don't shit on your own patch right...

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“Love, Forgotten” by Austin McCreary

Submitted to Contest #81

"Talia!" I turn around and see my best friend Lilly jogging down the side walk to greet me "Careful! Its icy!" I laugh and start over to greet her. My checks are rosy red, and my hands are frozen but I can bare just a bit longer. She smiles brightly at me "You ready?" I tilt my head, I dont remember making plans with her. "Talia! Seriously!? The festival!" now that rings a bell, I had totally forgotten about the festival, I was supposed to bring some baked goods to sell. "Thats...today?" I say nervously as I blow into my hands that are slowl...

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“The Jock” by Jillian Charlet

Submitted to Contest #81

The cup slips out of my hand and glass shatters as I try to catch my breath. He looks up from his conversations sharply at the commotion I’ve accidently created. How is he here? He looks like a dream and I have to hold myself back from running right into his arms. My hands shake as I bend down to scoop up some of the glass chunks. Footsteps approach loudly in the silent library and I am looking at two black shoes that have approached me. I glance up. “Can I help you?” ‘Thomas, hi!’ My heart screams. I take a deep breath and search hi...

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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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