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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

“When Destiny Intervenes” by Norman Musiiwa

Submitted to Contest #81

When Destiny Intervenes By Norman Musiiwa It was sunset in the Nyazvidzi River Valley, some five kilometres to the west of the city. The sun had hidden beyond the western mountains whose shadow intensified the evening haze. Albert lay upon a rough rock on his back, hands supporting the back of his head. His legs were folded knees-up-together as if pointing an emphatic accusation to the skies. Tears rolled past both his ears as he peered the hazy sky. There was a sudden transition as Albert made attempts to count flock after flock...

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“The Nursery” by Nathely Koffman

Submitted to Contest #81

Trinity opened the drawer and touched the folds of cotton and terrycloth. The yellows, pale greens, and whites lined up in neat little stripes. She pulled one of the white stripes out of its line in the drawer.. Her fingers traced the shape of a yellow duck stitched with care on the front of the handmade bib. She breathed in a faint wet paint smell. The yellow paint cans were still stacked in the corner near the door. She clutched the bib in one hand like a crumpled tissue and clung to the empty crib with the other. Her body swayed le...

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“Lets try again” by Cerelia Wolf

Submitted to Contest #81

"I think we should try again." Martin said smiling. We wouldn't need to try again if you hadn't cheated on me Emily thought cynically. She wanted to take him back and try again but she wasn't convinced that she could forget what he had put her through that easily. "How do I know that this time will be any different?" She asked. "I promise I won't do anything to hurt you again. She didn't mean anything to me, you are my world." He gushed. Emily couldn't help thinking that if that was true then he wouldn't have hurt her like that. She didn'...

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“The Notification” by Cass Clinch

Submitted to Contest #81

A bouquet of flowers. Her favorite chocolate. And a homemade comic book. That is what my sister Diana got for Valentine’s day. Ever since my older sister saw her boyfriend, Miles, she was absolutely glowing and couldn’t hide her excitement from anyone. Miles was absolutely head over heels for my sister and she was the same for him. They were completely in love with each other. I, myself thought that my sister turned into the Hulk if she was away from Miles for too long, which was completely fitting for their relatio...

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“His Rose” by Poorvi K

Submitted to Contest #81

Pops of rosy reds and cotton pinks illuminated the deep purple skies. It’s almost as if they were ordinary fireworks. But, these hues were different. They formed something abnormal. They formed a face. His face. It was odd really. It’s almost as if Rose could put her hand out there and he would appear in front of her. “Looking for me darling?” Levi asked in a husky tone near the shell of her ear. It was almost as if she had conjured him with her thoughts.His voice sent tingles through her body. And all Rose wanted to do was reach u...

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“Two hearts, one home” by Lisa Riley

Submitted to Contest #81

Henry has struggled with anxiety and panic attacks all his life. As a child, he never dared to question the source of his episodes – in all honesty, he used to think those overwhelming feelings that would hit him almost everyday were something that every human being was meant to experience. Whenever six year old Henry sensed an episode coming, he'd run up to his mother's embrace so she could calm him down just by the sound of her voice continuously whispering "deep breaths, Henny. I’m here, I won’t go anywhere." Henry's mother passed away ...

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“Stare off” by Elaine Martini

Submitted to Contest #81

Alma woke up early like she used to. She liked her routine. She walked into the kitchen, made her coffee and sat at the table looking out at the window. Her cat Lily jumped up on her lap. She pet her cat lovingly without taking her eyes from the window. Alma's days were always the same but for some reason this morning something felt different. She picked up her phone to check her calendar, but it was empty. She was feeling anxious and on edge. Alma finished her coffee and decided to go out for her usual morning walk hoping that feeling ...

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“A Shared Compass” by Nelson Locklear

Submitted to Contest #81

First thing first, as a well experience dater, I have learned a few things; one being just each day, even if you have been on many dates (whether with the same person or different persons) there’s always the chance of something new to happen, two being just like the weather just because it says it’ll be sunny doesn’t mean rain can’t come, so always be prepared, and three being always pack light. To further explain three this really pertains to first dates/meetings, don’t expect a lot and keep it breezy. Three was where I was at when I and my...

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“VALENTINE'S DAY” by Mousumi Biswas

Submitted to Contest #81

VALENTINE'S DAY Rita and Ajay had met each other at a common friend's party . They were both in their teens . As the DJ played the song , ' Just the way you are', Ajay asked Rita to dance with him . Being very shy and an introvert since childhood , she felt embarrassed . Seeing her predicament, her friend , Shalini dragged her to the dance floor . " Rita , this is Ajay , my brother's best friend . He is almost like a family member," introduced Shalini to Rita . She felt her blood rushing up her cheeks . " May we dance , " he said extend...

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“Old School Love” by Julie Roten

Submitted to Contest #81

He remembered her from elementary school, she was a year younger, he wasn't shocked how pretty she still was, but he was however shocked to see her getting on his bus the first day of school his junior year. She stood there looking for a seat, he cleared his throat and said to the pretty blonde girl, "you can sit with me". As she took the seat beside the boy she remembered from elementary school, her first thought was wow you have really changed. However what came out of her mouth was "you are not as fat as you use to be". He replied with a ...

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“My only love” by Abby Burton

Submitted to Contest #81

It is Friday 13th 2021, today is the day of Andy's and mine anniversary we got together when I was only fourteen And now i'm fifty four . The both of us got married when we were twenty five, and were blessed with two boys and one girl. We had named them Rubin, Gray, and our sweet little girl, Eiffel. They all grew up to be such sweet kids. I was born in April 5th 1966 and my husband was born in March 19 1966. We were only about eight, when we first met. I was heading to school, when I arrived I didn't know anyone. And I was lonely, that was ...

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“Match made in heaven?” by Sharon Williams

Submitted to Contest #81

They were born ten days apart in 1931, and lived near each other. Their homes were on one of the vast, recently built Dagenham council estates, constructed to ease overcrowding in the London slums. She was the only child of a Ford worker, Horace, and his wife. This, and, the fact that, she had two doting, childless aunts, meant that, materially, she had a better childhood than most children in the area. Her father was careful with money, cutting her hair himself, and putting taps on old shoes and painting them red, rather than buying her dan...

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“My old hag” by Ze Soliana

Submitted to Contest #81

🎼Sleeping beauty, you should wake🎼🎼you are already turning, to the old hag🎼Oh this old hag is everything, but not a morning person. I always wonder,How can she sleep so peacefully with my annoying voice.I got up and shake her body. But i only get groaning. Well I have no choice exept to through her to the bathtub full of cold water.Ahhh my back, I am getting older. I cant even carry my 71 years old wife. Yes its been 50 years today since i married this sweet hag, but look at her she will not wake up early even in our anniversary. Sometimes I...

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“Memories since 1996” by Kim Laylo

Submitted to Contest #81

He was an emotionless guy, And i'm a clingy girl. He was a guy who hates me, but i keep myself at him. I did my best to make him smile. And those moments are still worth it. A Memories of a liftime. Memories Since 1996 Avery's POV It's been a years since i saw his emotionless face. His smiles, his irritate face and his cute ways that makes my heart flutter. “Long time no see Cooper” Casper looked at him and he gave him a wide smile. Casper is our Classmate Since we we're 18. He's the bestfriend of Cooper and he always pushed Cooper on me sa...

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“Eternal Love” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #81

Jacqueline and Matthew Shea have been together for 60 years, they have three children, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren, Jacqueline and Matthew's life have been filled with joy and happiness, but that sometimes joy and happiness comes with a price. Jacqueline and Matthew's love story begins in the summer of 1959 at the age of sixteen. Jacqueline and Matthew's story is unlike anything ever seen before. It was love at first sight for the both of them. July 4th 1959 at the annual Independence Day celebration is when their e...

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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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