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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 – 159 stories

Stories

“Fincher from Physics” by Rishibha Khandurie

Submitted to Contest #81

Fincher was once the most bullied kid in 5th grade. He always wore the classic nerd attire complete with curly hair, braces, a pair of glasses and a shirt with a quote from Star Wars or Marvel or some other comic. He wasn't like the other kids, and that's probably what drew me to him. I, on the other hand, was extremely popular at that time. For the wrong reasons, but still popular. Everyone had dubbed me the new girl to look out for and everyone glanced at me with that envious look on their faces, but I really didn't care. Fincher and I use...

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“Sweet Sweden” by Aaaaa Nnnnn

Submitted to Contest #81

It was about a week ago that I heard from a friend that Niko was staying in the Suite Sweden Heights. I never would've guessed that we would both end up in Sweden, out of all places. When we were at Evanston, I always thought that Niko was going to go to somewhere exotic, like LA or New York. But here we are, only a few minutes walk away from each other.Our relationship could have never worked out even if I had possibly been so attractive and so popular. He's so outgoing and fun to be around, according to rumors, when I'm a bookworm who's mu...

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“Define "Amor'” by Kathleen March

Submitted to Contest #81

It was at El Hexágono, an ugly, metallic-and-white-formica-and-mirrors, horribly large cafeteria in horrible Madrid. El Hexágono might or might not be in business now, but I don’t much care. I don’t ever plan to go back. Once was enough. If I am lucky, I won’t have to return to Madrid, either. You see, I really hate Madrid. It might not be Madrid’s fault at all, but I do hate it. There are reasons for my feelings, but mostly you should know that I simply feel out of place in big, crowded, over-populated cities. Guess you could say it comes w...

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“Broken Locks” by Aveena Bordeaux

Submitted to Contest #81

I hoped the prison was going to be adorned with roses, or frilly red streamers that dipped and curled along the concrete walls. Instead, in the gray and drab afternoon, a wilted balloon hung limp off a nearby street post.Almost everything was prohibited. I’d found that out after a two-minute google search with chocolates and a balloon bouquet already purchased. I set the box of his favorite truffles and wafers on the passenger seat and the cherry-colored balloons swayed in the trunk. The car ride had been quiet, music was off and thoughts lo...

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“Rekindling the Relationship ” by Jeannette B. Taylor

Submitted to Contest #81

It had been over 25 years since I first Ben. We were teens growing up in the projects. It all happened on the 4th of July. We were gojng a bus ttip to the Washington Monument in Washington DC our nation's capitol. It was also a day that I never forgot.The day started off with preparation for the trip. We were making sandwiches while my fried up some chicken. We had to do other chores before we left. My sisters and I cleaned up the bathroom and we had to make sure our room was clean also.Our mom checked behind us before we could pack our bags...

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“Sludge” by Chris D

Submitted to Contest #81

It has to be her. He's in a diner, about an hour out from his hometown, nursing a cup of ice water, but there's no way it's not her. It's been seven years since graduation, and she looks the same as she did then. The cheerleading outfit has been switched out for a waitressing apron over blue jeans, sure, and there are bags under her eyes, but he'd bet his egg white omlette that it's her. He could spot those eyes a mile away. He stared at them every day in study hall senior year. It was his first class of the day. It wasn't like he had any ho...

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“What I Learned in English Class and How It's All Horribly Wrong” by Inkstained Introvert

Submitted to Contest #81

Well, I don’t know if it’s fair, exactly, to say I learned. I never paid (or even borrowed or stole) attention, because, in my mind, as an already fourteen-year-old prodigy, I’d learned everything there was to know. Right? Literature-wise, I suppose. I’d read all the books we were reading—never made any of the grammar mistakes the other kids were making—analyzed what we were fated to be analyzing in my prepubescent time by the river, stuffing the chinks between the log bridge with moss and pondering the meanings behind Austen and Orwell...

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“How to Fall a Little in Love” by Jennifer Frisinger

Submitted to Contest #81

How to Fall a Little in Love Just after 10 pm on New Year’s Eve, the host claps his hands. “Gather around, all ye partygoers,” he says. “It’s time to divulge your resolutions.” One of Jake’s eyelids droops. It’s difficult to tell whether this is blaze, booze or his normal state. Everyone obeys and forms a circle around him. He’s picked up his drink and now stands in the aren’t-I-casual posture -- one hand in the pocket of his pants the other holding champagne in one of those trendy, stemless glasses. “I’ll go first,” he says, reinforcing ...

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“The End of the Hall” by Holly Fister

Submitted to Contest #81

My feet sink as I wiggle them side to side, deeper and deeper, the salty water and a myriad of quartz crystals sucking them under. I plop my bottom down with a splat on what feels like liquid concrete, but again it welcomes me, and I shift down into the sand until it molds around my whole body.The waves roar incessantly, massaging my waterlogged eardrums, stretching themselves thin to reach me, and swirling my hair in a giant arc as they loop back toward the sea. Something wiggles and pushes against my calf, tickling me until I giggle. Is it...

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“Six” by Boba Bendy

Submitted to Contest #81

6 Years. 6 Months Dating. 6 Weeks before the First Date. 6 Texts before the question was asked. 6 Swipes Left before landing on her. 6 hours of video chatting. 6 Seconds of hesitation before calling first. 6 photos shared between them. 6 things they have in common. 6 different things about their physical traits. 6 Fights before Now. 6 Minutes of yelling. 6 guest invites to the wedding. 6 band members played. 6 Years. “6 Years!” Cora exclaimed, slamming the black and white photo on the tabl...

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“Because we love each other” by Daniel Brown

Submitted to Contest #81

“Cheyenne, remember when we screamed over... what was it, who would take the reins for dinner?” “You wanted to make green bean casserole.” “Which you said was, and I quote, the kind of dish you make for someone you despise.” “My mom went to her grave without a kind word for me, and made green bean casserole every other night. Can you blame me?” “I guess not. And you had on this, let me see if I can remember.” “It was a heather grey sweatsuit, Mitchell.” “Oh yeah and this furiously long ponytail.” “...

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“The fourth floor” by Siobhan Mulalley

Submitted to Contest #81

Will wiped down the fork for the fourth time, a mix of nerves and a desire for everything to be perfect, led to an almost OCD laying of the table. He stopped short of using a measuring tape to ensure everything was in exactly the correct position but had checked the table a total of 36 times already. It’s not like it was a first date, they had been out to dinner several times. He had been to hers for dinner and a movie, but this was the first time she would come to his. The first time he was cooking. The first time she would see his hom...

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“Heart of Glass” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #81

The coffee shop was crowded when Stephanie walked inside. She scanned the room for an empty table and spotted one in the corner. A waitress approached the table. She looked stressed and it was also noticeable in her tone of voice. With a sigh, she asked, “What can I get you?” “Just a coffee…Sorry, please make that a tea. Two milk. Thank you.” &nbs...

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“The Chance To Run” by Grace Leah

Submitted to Contest #81

“You should have told me alcohol here was so cheap.” Jamie exaggeratedly slurs his words and I roll my eyes “It looks like you’ve already figured that out for yourself.” I snap back. “You remember we have to be up early, right? We’ve got to be at my parents at 7.” He dismisses me with a wave of his hand.“I’ll be there. But I bet once you start talking, you’ll be fine.” He leans up against the brick wall of the club, just a few feet away from the door. “You’re oversimplifying things again..” I avert my eyes and watch the people that come and ...

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“The One” by Emily Aurelien

Submitted to Contest #81

It had been three years since Eric left me after going back to his toxic girlfriend, Sully. When he made his promise to never leave me then decided to leave it felt as though my heart ripped from my chest. There is no feeling like this, I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I didn’t think I would survive this ache in my heart. For months, I cried yearning for him, wondering why I kept putting myself through this. The feelings went from love, and sadness to resentment and anger. Today is the first day of Autumn, my career as a persona...

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$50

Prize money

916

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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