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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

“Power of Love ” by S Afrose

Submitted to Contest #81

The table is decorated with roses. Just a dreamy cascade !!! Shimmering the eternal fragrances. Darkness at outside is smirking....so many tiny candles ignite their hearts. Wow!!!! It's an amazing plot. Raindrops are dancing.... a romantic poem is recited by heart--- "Candle light dinner !!!" Flitter- glitter sound of rains Create a dramatic change Excited mind for a moment A magic splash to give a dreamy sight Candle light dinner---------- Very busy our routine lives How can make the lovely time With the dearest one Now dear ...

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“Making Memories” by Caroline Burkey

Submitted to Contest #81

“I hope he likes my Chicken Parmesan,” Beth muttered as she lit the two taper candles on the table. The doorbell rang, and she waved the match out, putting the box of matches in the top drawer of the buffet before she hurried to open it. Doug stood on the other side of the door, holding a single rose in his hand. Beth’s face lit up, and she layered her hands on her chest. “Is that for me?” she asked, looking up at him with wide eyes. “Unless you have a twin running around, looking as beautiful as you, of c...

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“A Picture to Burn” by Echo Sulin

Submitted to Contest #81

Ellen’s hands trembled as she tried to flatten the creases on the old white lace tablecloth her mom had gifted her. Apparently, it was a family heirloom, which she had only used once previously and it was already stained with little red splatters, presumably tomato sauce. Her mother should know better than to trust her with anything of value. But tonight was a special occasion, so once again she risked pulling it out, in hopes of making her apartment a little classier than it was on a normal day. A pot of curry boiled on the stove, the smell...

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“A Royal Love” by Maria Lai

Submitted to Contest #81

"Ok. What's missing?" He asked himself, scrutinising the small round table. His eyes passed from the plates to the cutlery, then the glasses and the flowers. “The flowers.” He thought aloud. “I think it’s better to put them on a side rather than in the centre.” He moved the little vase with the three red roses slightly on a side, and the candle, that he had just lightened up to the centre of the table, then stepped back to check the result. “Yeah, that’s better.” He had pictured this dinner in his mind many times and wanted to reproduce it...

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“Two Feet On The Ground” by A Power

Submitted to Contest #81

Metallic clatter rang through the air as the cutlery dropped out of Robert’s hands, landing in a lifeless pile on the table. They only took them out, a beloved wedding present, on special occasions. He began arranging them- the silver standing out against the red table cloth. Pushing a scented candle to the centre of the table, his jittery hands made it difficult to light. The flame danced on the end of the matchstick and wavered before it took hold. He hobbled over to the kitchen counter, his legs weary from many years of working on his f...

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“Confetti hearts ” by Stefanie Pieterse

Submitted to Contest #81

The fork clattered to the floor, the sound reverberating through Jessica’s ears as she leant to pick it up. She placed it back on the table, alongside the colourful confetti hearts she had picked up on her way over to Sam’s house. The sky was getting darker as the sun began to set, leaving a burnt orange glow to filter through the windows. Closing her eyes she let the fading light wash over her as she took a deep breath. He was going to be here soon; he would ring the doorbell soon; she would open the door soon. Soon they would be together –...

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“Replay! ” by Shreenidhi Ramamurthi

Submitted to Contest #81

His birthday is no less special this year. I see the clock pointing six when I return form the store. I hang my waist coat by the door and quickly place the fragrant flowers that I had just bought, in a transparent vase, half filled with water. I sweep and mob the floor until I feel the jasmine flavoured disinfectant lingering in the air. I had chosen jasmine scent as it is easily distinguishable from other scents, faintly aware that in a few hours I would smell roses. As I check for any unfinished work, I see the windows sneakily let in the...

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“Through the Picture Glass” by Anna Vaughn

Submitted to Contest #81

It was February 14th, and Rachael was setting a romantic table in preparation for her Valentine’s dinner with her husband. In all the years since they got married, they had yet to miss this special occasion. Never did they go out for a fancy dinner. Instead, Rachael prepared it for them perfectly, year after year. Her thoughts wandered. “I have to make this perfect. Table cloth? Check. Napkins? Check. Salad forks and dinner forks? Check. Steak knives? Check. Oh!” She suddenly realized, “I’ve got to get the potatoes out!” She qu...

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“Lily of the Valley” by Ellie Keierleber

Submitted to Contest #81

Hastily fastening the brass buttons of his waistcoat, Felix Doyle checked his appearance in the mirror one last time before nodding his approval to his reflection. Every strand of his normally messy, brown hair was slicked back into perfect placement, and his beard and mustache had been neatly trimmed. He was a young man, but already his facial hair was full and was constantly having to be cropped. Looking at his hands in disdain, he frowned. He had scrubbed them in soap and water for nearly half an hour, but hadn’t managed to remove all the...

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“Dinner for two” by Rachel Alex Wall

Submitted to Contest #81

Alan put the tray of dinner into the oven to cook. It wouldn’t take long. It wasn’t his idea of a romantic meal but Amanda had pick it. This was her night too. He set the kitchen timer then went into the dining room. The breeze blew gently in trough the open window, the room wasn’t used much. Just for special occasions and when company came for food. Amanda had asked if they could eat in there tonight. He cleared the junk from the table. The room may not be used but somehow, the table always had papers, books and letters on it. He went back ...

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“My Dearest Dahlia” by Madelein Ercanbrack

Submitted to Contest #81

Dahlia Gorvana. Her name rang through his end on an endless loop. Like a chime in the wind constantly ringing beautiful melodies. He’d met her during an interest meeting for a special course he was signing up for. She was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. Her thick locks of deep black hair complemented her midnight eyes and rich tan skin. He’d never seen anyone as incredible. Donovin Campbell was the luckiest man alive. He threw a blanket down on the green grass. She loved the outdoors. He set out a few candles and lit them one by ...

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“Letting go” by Kay Wren

Submitted to Contest #81

The soft light of the candles spill over the table, their flickering selves creating a small, burning heat in the chilly night. Rome gently lifts the vase of blood-red roses and straightens it, ignoring the small stabs of remembrance that fight the barrier of her subconscious. She repositions the table, tugs at the tablecloth, and fixes the chairs so they stand straight. Unlike her. When she is done, she trades the cold balcony for a warm kitchen, the loud sounds of clanging pots and angry chefs barely reaching her. The manager directs...

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“Desiring My Darling” by Tanae Taylor

Submitted to Contest #81

February 14, 2014 The phone rings, and rings, and rings. The answer machine picks up. “Please leave a message after the beep.” Beep. “Hey dad it's Darion, I didn’t want you to be alone tonight so I thought I could come over and we could hang ou-” Someone picks up the phone. “No that’s alright, you live over 2 hours away anyway” He held the phone up to his ear while he wrestles with a wine bottle trying to open it. “I’ll be alright tonight son, you go on and relax with Justine.” Darion lets out a concerned sigh “At least let me come o...

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“Roses Are Red ... And So Is Fire” by Emma Harris

Submitted to Contest #81

Namjun had finally finished setting up the table. He smiled and picked up the match box that he had set down on the table. He lit a match from the box and held it to the first red candle on the table, smiling at the thought of how Melissa would react when she saw this. He was hoping that he'd be lucky enough to maybe even get a genuine smile. He started to light the second candle when his friend called out nonchalantly to him from the kitchen. "Your food's burning." Namjun dropped the match and knocked over both candles in his hurry to g...

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“Ah! This sweet bitterness ” by Slothy Penguin

Submitted to Contest #81

Today feels just like any day, I wake up feeling not necessarily sad or down, just that it feels lonelier than everyday. Loneliness is a lovely peaceful companion to me.But somehow today, I can't get myself to enjoy mr.loneliness's company. So I take it upon myself to get dressed, and look presentable to the public eye."Ah, spring is here already."Oh spring! I just can't seem to like you no matter how much I try. Season of blossoming, season of love and mating, season where every individual in this planet seem to find its other 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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