Write a story about two strangers chatting while waiting for something.

Posted in Dialogue on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 196 stories

“Worth The Wait” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #49

Twenty-eight-year-old James Dougherty waited on a bench for the #224 bus to arrive. Things hadn’t been going so well for him lately and James decided that it was time to start over, so he walked away from his family, his friends, and his job, but especially from the woman that he had spent the last five years with. James and his wife, Cheryl were blissfully in love before they married, but things had quickly changed for the worse once they tied the knot. It began with argument...

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“Wait For Me” by Kathleen March

Submitted to Contest #49

They were both in the train station. Both had arrived nearly an hour ahead of time. Neither wanted to sit, nevertheless, because the trip meant several hours with little opportunity to stretch their legs. Both had ordered a beer, because it was extremely hot that day. They discovered the news on the screen that was located three feet above their heads on the wall farthest from the tracks was as boring as the daily paper somebody had left on the bar. When you’re waiting for a train or bus or airplane, almost everything is boring. You just wan...

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“A Part You Could Do Something With” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #49

There was a curious mixture of rivalry and camaraderie in the air. All the women present, waiting in the local Leisure Centre, wanted the same thing, and they were in competition with each other, but of course, only one of them could be chosen to play Meredith Morello in the planned TV costume drama. It was a relatively minor role, the older sister of the central character, the 1930s femme fatale Adelaide Morello (who, ultimately, was not found guilty of murder and did not end up on the gallows, but it was the genera...

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“Food For Drought” by Rayhan Hidayat

Submitted to Contest #49

The spearman limps into the clearing, his body weary and his mind wearier still. He’d been beckoned by the melody of rushing water, and having the stream finally blossom into view is a much-needed respite from the day’s wounds.And by Athor, what a day it’s been. The cries of men and women in their death throes still ring in the depths of his psyche, mingling with the clang of metal against metal and the aroma of spilt blood cooking under the sun. Naturally, he loves Athor as much as the next Sunseas warrior, but can’t the Lord of the Day and...

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“The Man Who Loved Sunsets” by Gopika Ashokan

Submitted to Contest #49

Everyday at 5pm, Ove had walked the same street for almost six years now. His legs frolicking over the dead lilies, the packet of bread swinging in his sweaty hands, his eyes narrowing down the small green bench opposite the Central Library, where he settled down to bid adieu to the sunset. Once he was comfortably seated, he took out his leather bound diary from his old-fashioned coat, kept it carefully beside the packet of bread, leaving enough space for one more person to sit, and patiently waited. Ove noticed that the solemn expression ...

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“Rose Petals” by Sarah Burke

Submitted to Contest #49

Leah picked a random seat in the empty waiting room and parked herself in it, making herself comfortable for the long wait she knew was coming. Well, she’d thought it was empty until she looked up to the row of seats lining the wall opposite hers. Its occupant was small with delicate, feminine features and silver hair captured in an immaculate bun that can only be achieved with decades of practice. Faded blue eyes flicked up in time to catch Leah in the middle of her inspection and instead of the irritated...

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“A Soldier, a Grave, and the Missed Bus ” by S. F. Brooke

Submitted to Contest #49

“Wait!” Mel called, pumping her arms as she ran in her boots. Seeing the Greyhound bus taking off — without her on it — made her heart plummet into her stomach. She gave up the chase and stomped her foot, not unlike a five-year-old. “I’m guessing you missed the bus?” A man’s soft voice questioned. Mel turned, brushing her brown hair away from her face. A man she didn’t notice the first time was sitting under the eave of the bus stop. He had a gentle face, kind grey eyes, and an Army uniform on. He looked to be about...

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“Hello Stranger” by Eric Hyzer

Submitted to Contest #49

She appeared perfectly normal at first glance; then, I asked what she did for a living. “Mostly, I murder people,” the woman said. Okay, I thought, this lady is batshit crazy. Sure, she’s a looker with her long, blonde hair and sell-your-soul-to-the-devil eyes, but still . . . nuttier than a fruitcake. However, my bus wouldn’t be here for another thirty-five minutes. So, I say, “That sounds really interesting.” “If you don’t mind, may I enquire as to your name?” Now, I might not be the brightest lightbulb in the package, but my mothe...

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“Burning Without Fire” by Harken Void

Submitted to Contest #49

“We’re going to die, aren’t we?”It was a rhetorical question as both men knew the answer. An undoubtful, horrifying yes.Alexei, the younger of the two, quivered, on the brink of tears. “It’s going to be short, at least,” Yuri, the older one, said. “But still painful. They say it's one of the worst agonies a man can go through. The body killing itself from the inside.”The younger man burst into tears.“Crying won’t help, son,” Yuri said and fished his pocket for a cigarette. And to think he was about to quit smoking. What a sick joke, thi...

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“IT IS THE NEW WAY.” by P. Jean

Submitted to Contest #49

(Write a story about two strangers chatting while waiting for something.) Lydia sits in her car waiting for her cell to ring! It is the newest way to get medical attention. First you make an appointment from home or work. When you arrive at the medical facility, you are met by a person in the parking lot who acknowledges your arrival at the facility and gives you a number to call based on who you are seeing. So you park your car and dial the number. “Hello, this is Lydia Parker and I have an appoin...

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“One Year” by Hans B

Submitted to Contest #49

The year is 2421. It has been one hundred years since the great war. It has taken this long for civilization to rebuild itself. The Event started small and scattered, but was growing in popularity. War being a distant memory and illegal now, the Event gave a new focus for the world. This would mark the twenty fifth year of the official opening. There was always something strange and electric in the air about this time of year. The anticipation is overwhelming and emotions run high.The tension is tangible. So thick you could cut it with a kni...

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“Popzero becomes a real hero” by Jayashree Sadagopan

Submitted to Contest #49

Popzero emerged out of the pavilion a long time after the fanfare subdued, the crowd bustling away in hushed tones, and peace prevailed. The five-men traveling rock ensemble he is part of had vacated the venue fully. It was his hometown alright, but desiring a change, he decided to take the express train to Hamilton and visit his friend, Jojo, partly for the reason Jojo was part of the dissenters, the anti-war gang. Popzero had just started to feel accustomed to the pop-frenzy around but not yet hit the super-stardom, so he had the mobility ...

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“To Be Alone” by Melanie S.

Submitted to Contest #49

I found myself walking down the street to a bar - a bar out of all places. I shook my head and silently scolded myself as I walked in and took a seat at the counter. Thankfully, there weren’t that many people there. I looked at the clock on the wall; it was only eight. An older woman was sitting a few seats down from me. When I glanced at her, I found her studying me closely. “How’s your night going so far?” she asked me with a gravelly voice. I smiled politely at her. “It’s fine, how about yours?” She chuckled to herself. “Oh, just gr...

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“Waiting for a life change” by Soji Asaye

Submitted to Contest #49

Mary had just arrived in an unsettled and unkempt state, hair sticking out from the bun she had styledher hair into, her make-up was just weird she was an awkward sight for all beholder her heels weren't spared one had broken off and the shoes looked worn out; She had probably been in rush for her place of work cause she wore a three piece suit and was still straightening out her clothes. All eye's on her she took her seat luckily the last one left, she looked by her side and she got a wry smile she didn't return she was there for her own in...

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“Just A Slice” by Katharine Tierney

Submitted to Contest #49

Louise pulled into an empty parking spot on the far side of the lot and killed the engine. Taking a last drag from the first cigarette she had smoked in a month she pitched the butt into the gutter with a whispered curse. She was disgusted with herself for picking up the habit again, but the last week had been the most stressful yet, and all signs pointed to things getting worse. Her marriage was over except for the papers she was having trouble getting up the nerve to sign, her job was in jeopardy, and the thick fog rolling through River Ci...

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Write a story about two strangers chatting while waiting for something.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 196 stories

“Worth The Wait” by Greg Gillis

“Wait For Me” by Kathleen March

“A Part You Could Do Something With” by Deborah Mercer

“Food For Drought” by Rayhan Hidayat

“The Man Who Loved Sunsets” by Gopika Ashokan

“Rose Petals” by Sarah Burke

“A Soldier, a Grave, and the Missed Bus ” by S. F. Brooke

“Hello Stranger” by Eric Hyzer

“Burning Without Fire” by Harken Void

“IT IS THE NEW WAY.” by P. Jean

“One Year” by Hans B

“Popzero becomes a real hero” by Jayashree Sadagopan

“To Be Alone” by Melanie S.

“Waiting for a life change” by Soji Asaye

“Just A Slice” by Katharine Tierney

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story that takes place in a waiting room.

Write a story about a person waiting for an answer to a question.

Write a story about waiting — but don't reveal what's being waited for until the very end.

Write a story about a relationship where one person is always running late and the other is constantly kept waiting.

Contest #49

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

1054

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: