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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

“Unexpected” by Revathy Lemon

Submitted to Contest #81

KAII felt like melting into the ground.I had given myself motivational speeches outside the door. You’ll be fine. It’s just one night if you don't like her, then you can just delete your account and never hear from her again. Simple. Then why was I feeling like spiders were crawling around, trying to eat the butterflies in my stomach.Gripping the roses as tight as I can in my hand, a deep breath or two and I rang the doorbell. A faint shrill came from inside the house, and a minute later the door swung open.And my jaw fell to the ground...

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“Friends to Lovers; Becoming a First Date” by Kendra Newton

Submitted to Contest #81

I'm so excited! I get to see Aaron today. I haven't seen my best friend in 3 months, not since he went to that dumb football camp over the summer. I would of went to volleyball camp but my mom sent me to summer school instead. Ugh. We wrote each other the whole time though. We are meeting at the mall to pick out my birthday dress and his tuxedo for my Quinceañera. I couldn't be more excited for him to be my escort for my party. We get to hang out all day and night, and he said he'd help block me from all my annoying relatives. I'm so hap...

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“The Rhapsody” by Abundio Noel Libot

Submitted to Contest #81

Jake was a gentleman from an island in the Visayas who came to Metro Manila for the college scholarship. He took Bachelor of Arts major in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines - Diliman Campus. He grew up in a countryside, he was not fond of city life. He preferred to stay inside the university the whole day. He also resided in the male dormitory inside the university campus. He only went out once a month, only when he really need to buy something.One time he represented the university in an inter-collegiate competition, where he ...

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“Escaping the 49” by Raymond Bouchard

Submitted to Contest #81

Kyle was crazy in the way that he thought Judith was crazy. He had a terrible habit of always assuming he was intelligent even after he left the chickens to die in the storm. Judith once tried to get it through to him that his Ph.D. in recycling dirt only meant that he had a Ph.D. in recycling dirt. But he wasn't open to common sense, and still thought he was wise beyond his age.Judith didn't have a Ph.D., which was a faulty strategy on her part, maybe that'd make Kyle more receptive to her philosophies. "I don't think going out with yo...

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“Who Knows When?” by D Brown

Submitted to Contest #81

Tonight, I fall in love. No ifs, buts or, maybes, it’s bound to happen because I’ve decided. Strange how often I can make grand decisions that will define my life, my career, even others, and yet love is the one thing that seems unattainable even to someone who, at 30, has their life ‘together’ as my parents would say. Circling today in fluorescent pink, I glance away from the all too familiar calendar and survey the softly lit room, wondering why it has taken me so long to fix this missing part of me. I have everything else, including a bea...

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“Love Shot” by Mommy &me

Submitted to Contest #81

Meria, do you know where my clothes are? Like I have no idea where they are . Like at all. Uh what's the deal, I mean do you have something? Meria asked in a sassy tone. Yes Meria, I have a date remember. Which just happens to be today. Bye the way, what time is it? She said with a sort of annoyed tone but lastly asked calmly. You should ask someone about that? Meria asked. I’m asking. She took a pause. Who else would I be asking except you. You are the only one in the room and I live by myself. Why are you so w...

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“Esperanza- The Beginning” by Lyn VJ Bennett Wilson

Submitted to Contest #81

Mr. Tomasso Aldini became the most successful surgeon in Le Centre Hospitalier de Bayeux in Normandy, France, in 1946. He had been born to a well known family in Italy. Considered medical royalty, he was wealthy, highly esteemed, amazingly talented and very reserved. He stood in the surgical wing preparing for his next case. Tall, upright, square shoulders, dark hair, impossibly dark eyes, and a strong cleft chin made him a striking picture in an otherwise sterile environment. He stood watching the buzz of activity on...

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“Choosing the Right One” by Troy Lane

Submitted to Contest #81

Paul motioned for Sarah to exit the cinema first. His generous act gave him the few precious seconds he needed to process his thoughts. It’s hard to hide disappointment from your face, particularly from the ladies who are gifted in reading such things. Foolish. Selfish. Careless. Stupid. His casual dress, jeans and tee-shirt, screamed amateur as he stood next to Sarah wearing a stunning red dress. Awkward silence brought that drama to a conclusion. Now he couldn’t comprehend his decision to take Sarah to this action movie for their first dat...

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“Candy Hearts” by Colombe Nguatta

Submitted to Contest #81

This wasn’t what I expected. At all. I was in a nice restaurant with a relaxed ambiance and in front of me sat one of the ugliest men I’ve ever seen in my life. Okay… maybe ugly was a little hash but did I lie? The man in front of me was nowhere near a Brad Pitt. His hair was long and stringy with grease, he wore oversized glasses that nearly covered his whole face, with a crooked nose. How did I end up here you ask? Let’s rewind to the beginning of February the 14th. Ah, Valentine’s day. A day for all the couples to shower their...

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“The proposal” by Ólína H Chandrika Þrastardóttir

Submitted to Contest #81

“You can do this man, don’t mess this one up, you really like her.” I said to myself as I set the table. Two courses, a main and a dessert. A white table cloth lay on the table, two place settings, a deep red napkin folded to keep the cutlery. A beautiful candlelight and one yellow rose. The napkin didnt match the rose but it should be fine. Took a step back and felt it looked quite romantic. I paced back and forth between the mirror and the tiny kitchen. I was so nervous I actually thought about calling last minute to cancel! But she was al...

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“Love Always” by Stacey Broadbent

Submitted to Contest #81

With a flick of his wrist, Greg unfurled the tablecloth and smoothed it down. He set out two placemats and their finest cutlery. A bottle of wine sat in an ice bucket to the side, with two glasses gleaming in the candlelight, and in the centre of the table, he placed a vase with a single red rose. Her favourite. He stood back and surveyed his work, checking it was everything it should be. Everything she’d want. February 14th had rolled around much faster than he was expecting. The one day of the year to cause him so much angst. It seemed ...

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“Something is missing...!” by Carol Kilby

Submitted to Contest #81

Clarissa carefully polished the silver cutlery and laid them precisely across the plates. She added the two red hearts and curling red ribbon as the final touch, then smoothed the crease of the tablecloth that covered their old wooden table. This old table had witnessed many Romantic dinners over the years, but none as special as tonight was going to be. The red roses stood tall and proud in the glass vase, centre stage, right in the middle of the table. Clarissa placed the neatly ironed serviettes to the right of the placemats, then she s...

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“THE DINNER” by Sophia Edna Taljaard

Submitted to Contest #81

A moonbeam sparkled on the rounded edge of the soup tureen. He had prepared a cold cucumber soup, for the day had turned at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. He was fortunate that a thunderstorm had not built up and that they could have their dinner outside, for he loved the atmosphere in the cool of the evening under the African stars. Two or three lamps hung on the branches of the old Oak, and he would light the candles on the table just now when they sat down as there was no wind. The candlelight would make the dinner even more special. His thoughts...

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“A Dinner to Remember” by Dhruv Srivastava

Submitted to Contest #81

The quick rhythmic sound of the knife hitting the cutting board conflicted with the slow Pink Martini record playing on the radio, yet this conflict seemed to only enhance the melody as Justine Watts sang along softly in French. She finished chopping the onions and threw them into the pot, adding a crushed clove of garlic on top. The aroma quickly filled the spacious kitchen, and she took a quick sip of Cabernet to bring the whole scene together. If only it were snowing, she thought, and I had a fireplace crackling in the living room. Alas, ...

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“The day ” by Ari LaMay

Submitted to Contest #81

Do you ever think back to the perfect day in hopes that you can recreate it just to experience even the slightest bit of that feeling again? Well today is that day where there are so many things in store for me to recreate and capture that moment once again. There is some much to do and prepare before tonight. I have to make sure I have everything perfect. Dancing in the kitchen I know there is a lot to prepare so I write down everything I need before walking out the door. "This night will once again be one to remember." I...

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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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