Write a story in which someone can only hear one side of a conversation and must piece together the meaning of what they’ve heard.

Posted in Dialogue on May 10, 2024

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✍️ 38 stories

“When The Stars Align” by Lindsay King

Submitted to Contest #250

It’s happening. I see Arie make her way across the room. I have to get closer. I smile smugly at the server handing out hors d'oeuvres. I see a few potential hiding spots. There’s the bar—no, it's too obvious. I’m not a drinker. I could pretend I’m waiting in line for the bathroom—no, I don’t think it’s close enough. I wish this was an office party where no one knew each other. Everyone silently waits for the speeches and awards, segregated by department, nursing a drink to avoid small talk, until it’s finally time to sneak out. ...

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“Blowin' in the Ether” by Bob Faszczewski

Submitted to Contest #250

As I lay on the Assateague Island beach the sun’s rays drenched me in warmth as my mind wandered to far-off places. I soon fell asleep, and my dreams took me thousands of miles south and west to East Maui's Waianapanapa State Park in the Hawaiian Islands. Back to the wonderful vacations my family had taken there during my teens. Suddenly, a high-velocity wind blew sand across my face, carrying with it ...

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“Behind Closed Doors ” by Ava Morgan

Submitted to Contest #250

I like to believe that we’re the biggest liability. We have access to every room, every key, every hour. We have some of the biggest power and yet nobody suspects us. Nobody suspects the janitor. We’re tired, overworked and underpaid, but we have eyes and ears everywhere. We know everything about everyone. I have colleagues who tell me to pay more attention to my surroundings, to gather dirt, and intel. I’m not a gossiper though, I couldn’t care less about what happens in this building. So while everyone else in the janitorial team gossips ...

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“The Lessons We Learn” by Randy Miller

Submitted to Contest #250

My head whirled, my heart raced with excitement! There was no escaping this, no chance at all!Adjusting my elbows against the sturdy wood floor, I pushed upwards, engrossed in the Saturday morning cartoons. Superman found himself ensnared by Braniac, but lo and behold! Batman swooped in with a batarang, turning the tables and saving the day! Two iconic heroes colliding on screen, AWESOME! Adrenaline surged through me as I leaped up, spinning and fist-pumping towards the sky. A team-up in cartoons - had to be a kid who thought ...

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“Pep talk” by Trevaughn Bynum

Submitted to Contest #250

It took forever to get out of the house. I am late again. I feel every bit of the mess that I am sure I look like. The cuff of my white button-down sleeve is soaked in coffee from my not putting the lid on right and sprintwalking to get to work. Now there's a drip down my light gray pant leg and a splat on my new blue suede shoes. This is why I should stick with an all black wardrobe. Ugh! I feel myself spiraling into a bad day. It only gets worse when I see a sea of people leaving the train station I am rushing toward.Great.What's happ...

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“Listening to one side of a conversation” by David Nutt

Submitted to Contest #250

Listening to a one side of a conversationIt was one of those late spring days in Paris, clear blue skies and a warm southerly breeze. The trees had lost that virgin green of the early spring and were in full splendor heralding the summer. I was sitting on a cafe terrace admiring the view. From what I saw from the people passing it appeared this summer was to be the year of shorts, long and daringly short. Without warning my little haven of peace was disturbed by two young women that took seats just behind me. Even before they started talking...

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“Listening in” by Nydia Caraman

Submitted to Contest #250

I lay my head back with my eyes closed and breath in the clean air of the night. It’s my favorite spot in the house, or should I say around the house? Either way, I ‘m alone on the roof right outside my window and it’s a beautiful night with a sky full of stars and a full moon. I like to relax out here away from the drama of family. I am the only one who has access to the roof so no one can bother me here. “Wait what!?” I hear someone saying, breaking the silence of the night. They sound worried or shocked or maybe shockingly worr...

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“Happy Birthday” by Shelyna Moyer

Submitted to Contest #250

I twist and turn in my chair, the creaking of its worn-out hinges echoing in the chambers of my sleep-deprived mind. Resting my head on my hand, the weight of exhaustion presses against my temples like a relentless force. With a sigh, I turn to the clock beside the bed, its glowing digits projecting an eerie green hue in my red and dry eyes. 10:58 PM flashes in bold, mocking digits. "It will only take 30 minutes," I scoff, I can’t believe I thought this would be easy. “At least it is the least assignment of the year,” I say, trying to revive...

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Write a story in which someone can only hear one side of a conversation and must piece together the meaning of what they’ve heard.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 38 stories

“When The Stars Align” by Lindsay King

“Blowin' in the Ether” by Bob Faszczewski

“Behind Closed Doors ” by Ava Morgan

“The Lessons We Learn” by Randy Miller

“Pep talk” by Trevaughn Bynum

“Listening to one side of a conversation” by David Nutt

“Listening in” by Nydia Caraman

“Happy Birthday” by Shelyna Moyer

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story in which someone is afraid of being overheard.

Write a story about a child overhearing something they don’t understand.

A character overhears something at a black-tie event that puts the night in jeopardy.

Your teacher tasks you with writing a story based on an eavesdropped conversation. When the story is published, your subject isn’t happy.

Contest #250

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

229

Contest entries

107

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: