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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

“Wedding Pictures and Wine Bottles” by Jamea Johnson

Submitted to Contest #81

"Candles? Check. Rose petals? Check. Ring?' Leo looked around frantically. "Shit, where's the ring?! Maya's going to be here in ten minutes and I don't have the ring!" The shrilling of the kitchen's smoke alarm pulled Leo's attention to the kitchen. Smoke billowed from the oven as Leo opened it. The chicken was charred and dry, unsalvageable. Setting the remaining dishes on the table, Leo remembered the most important element that was going to make this night special. He went into his closet, unlocked the safe subtly hidden behind his suits...

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“The First Date” by Alex Jules

Submitted to Contest #81

I remember meeting him. His skin, the color of castor oil, turned my heart to water, and quickly, my tongue yearned for a taste of sweet chocolate. My soul became wrapped around his finger in an instant, and dearly I wished for him to hold it within his arm. Pamper it. Clear its blinded eyes of the darkness engulfing it by flashing his visage, for he had the face of the sun—golden and coruscating. Unknowingly, I stilled in my seat, and my tongue froze. It was as though love shook my core and wrapped its hands—cold as sand—around my throat. N...

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“The Beautiful Roses” by Kerrie Clements

Submitted to Contest #81

Jamie stood there, looking down at the beautiful bouquet of roses. They used to be her favourite, many, many years ago.40 Years Earlier -It was the summertime in 1981. Twenty-year-old Jamie Bills stood watching, no, gawping, at the beautiful woman who knelt before him, pruning her rose bush. He knew her name. He had heard her mother shout it every day when it was time for tea. Jamie lived next door. Today was the first time he had picked up enough courage to attempt to speak to her properly since her father died. They had said the occasional...

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“Crushed” by Alisha Levi

Submitted to Contest #81

She walks into the room with beautiful flowing hair, pouty lips and great hips, and she looks at me and says “Hi can I order a grande, non-fat, half-caf cappuccino for Tammy please?” and puts her rewards card on the counter. I snap back to reality “yes, no problem. Would you also like to try that with blond espresso today?” I ask as instructed by my manager even though she wasn't listening anymore. I quickly ring up her drink, swipe her card and pass it back. She looks off vacantly in the distance as she barely thanks me and walks away to wa...

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“Awkwardness” by Elda Du Toit

Submitted to Contest #81

Trying to avoid getting her hair wet, Joanne ducks into the warm coffee shop. The weather prediction indicated it would be a cold and rainy day, but with the sun shining brightly when she went out to the train station, she completely forgot to take an umbrella. Getting off the train, she has to walk about five blocks to her workplace and with Murphy being his omnipresent self, that was exactly when the raindrops started falling. Sure that she has the worst hair frizz in the history of humankind, Joanne avoids rain at all costs. She does not ...

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“Alex Flynn ” by Callisto Nguyen

Submitted to Contest #81

Okay, eggs, bread, mayo, toothpaste. Was there anything else I needed? I feel like there's something missing. I have shampoo at home, TP is enough for a couple weeks. I shouldn’t get the ice cream, I’ll get it next time, chocolate Ben & Jerry’s can wait. What else would a struggling college student need? I suppose I could go get some more coffee, my body won’t caffeinate itself after all. You know, caffeine is a drug. Some type of lower grade stimulant, or whatever my Psychology professor was yammering about this week. Honestly, ...

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“Twice the Fun” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #81

So often those whose intentions are admirable, don’t consider the consequences of their intended good deeds. Placing a certain amount of presumption on the grantee, when considering the concept of good, can make them a bit uncomfortable. Most often when considering doing something one considers good, charitable like, they are most often thinking of how they would react should someone impose a similar wish or action upon them. Now, given the fact that no two people, let alone a universe of people, are alike, the likelihood of meeti...

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“Infatuation Long Forgotten” by Chisaokwu Chukwudinma

Submitted to Contest #81

The lungs of a physical manifestation of the body of a generational progressed Eve, who inhaled the blood of the lamb, and exhaled the toxic air of communion. Walking on cumulus clouds that outlined the epitome of a livelihood that invisibly shone a fallen saint who has been bewitched by the serpent's tongue bathed in the poison of temptation. An additional inbreath of the forbidden juice of the fruit, and once more an expiration of the swarming polluted venom from her blackened lips. Dancing with the imperceptible shadows of the celebration...

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“Nothing more beautiful than death” by Mugabe Victor

Submitted to Contest #81

Death, a construct of human imagination or the scientific halt to an organism's existence. One a fantasy, the other fact. Nothing can happen more beautiful than death, the words of Walt Whitman. I couldn't care less, I was leaving this cruel world and I was grateful. I just needed to get over with the pharse. Grow, feed, learn, marry, reproduce, die. My only regret was that I hadn't gone past learning. I could feel my mouth run dry in the moment, a vague coldness enveloping my chest as the smell of iron filled my nostrils. The corridor light...

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“Incarcerated Hearts” by Franchesca Patino

Submitted to Contest #81

It had been almost 2 years since Pablo had seen Gloria and he still thought about her occasionally. He reminisced about the amazing times they had together, like when they got locked out of their apartment and ended up dancing their night away in the rain or when they snuck into a random Quinceanera and ended up one of the best nights of their lives. Gloria was too special of a person for Pablo to ever forget, and he knew he never would especially since he blamed himself for their relationship ending and losing her, the best thing that had e...

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“What Brought Me Back” by Karli Conrad

Submitted to Contest #81

The atmosphere was chilly, and not just because it was a crisp winter day in Central Park, but because the space in-between the ends of the bench was palpable. “So,” Cassie managed to break the ice with chattering teeth and a pink nose, “What brought you back into town?” David stayed silent, his eyes locked on the leaves blowing in the wind, seemingly chasing each other in circles like an endless carousel. This felt like a good analogy of life to him, while everything felt like it was turning constantly, nobody ever caught up. It w...

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“One More” by Calvin Matoma

Submitted to Contest #81

The swift breeze of air came from the south, blowing the last bits of clouds. 5:45 PM. The last glow of a sunset sank leaving nothing but an array of golden amber across the wet parking lot. I took a deep breath and leaned back in my seat to think for a moment. Carol, I knew would already be inside waiting to talk with me. I should be happy she even called me, right? It's just that I always imagined we would bump into each other at the grocery store, at the park or somewhere memorable for both of us. Enough already just go inside to talk t...

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“Poisonous Love” by Brya Wallace

Submitted to Contest #81

Trigger Warning: Suicidal ideation, abuse, self-harm I wiped my clammy hands on my black skinny jeans, my blue eyes nervously scanning the scenery around me. I could barely appreciate the beauty of the warm summer’s day in the park I was waiting in, staring across the sea of perfectly manicured grass that was peppered with blooming trees and flowers. Despite the heat of the day, the park was oddly stagnant, without only a few stray wandering souls making their way through, yet none were the familiar face I was waiting for. This was a bad i...

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“In My Pocket” by Gary Crawford

Submitted to Contest #81

IN MY POCKET “Honey? What are you doing?” she asked her husband. “Oh, just putting back some of the knickknacks we took down when we painted the room. It looks so bare in here.” “Now you be careful. You aren’t a young man, you know.” “You keep reminding me of that. How could I ever forget?” he chuckled. “Look, we’ve lived a lot longer than most everyone we know. Let’s keep it that way, shall we?” “Yes, dear. Anything you say.” She shook her head, laughing, as she left the room. He looked at the boxes on the floor and the tab...

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“The Roller Coaster Ride” by Marie Henry

Submitted to Contest #81

It wasn't a sunny day but Sylvia didn't care, the grey skies couldn't dull the feeling of freedom and potential. Blackpool was beautiful. She had never been anywhere so exotic; the vibrant colours, the seaside smells and the variety of people, all fired up her senses. Two whole nights of freedom; it was her first ever holiday without her parents and she and her friend, Sheila were going to make the most of every minute. They had their best day dresses on with their rock and roll petticoats and bright red lipstick and they look...

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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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