Write a story that begins with an apology.

Posted in Dramatic on Dec 20, 2024

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✍️ 81 stories

“An Apology for Timeline Disruptions” by Aaron Schuck

Submitted to Contest #282

October 12, 2024, St. Ambrose UniversityHillcrest, Pennsylvania. Dr. Charles Grayson, a historian of modest repute, stood at the podium of St. Ambrose University’s lecture hall. His tweed jacket felt unusually heavy, and his tie choked him like a noose. Before him, rows of curious students and faculty awaited his presentation on “Obscure Medieval Mystics and Their Influence on Modern Theology.” Instead, he cleared his throat and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, before I begin, I owe you all a sincere apology.” The crowd stirred. Apologies were u...

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“The Weight of Regret” by Arlis Dietrick

Submitted to Contest #282

(Scripted abuse, language) Dearest Evelyn, I know you will never see this, and it will never reach you. It will sit in a dusty attic box and never again see the light of day. But know that I am with you in my heart, despite what I have done. I am truly sorry and hope you forgive me and my honor. With all due respect, Auryn Rush "Auryn, I need a hairbrush." "Sorry, Jorge. Give me one second." At the shop, I was waiting for a scheduled appointment with another rich person who didn't have to work for anything. I tossed t...

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“APOLOGIA” by Kajsa Mcgeorge

Submitted to Contest #282

Dear— Well, no, not that dear. I don’t want you harboring delusions about me. So, greetings: I’m sending you this epistolatory apology because I can’t stand the thought of groveling in person before you while you regard me from your exalted height, deciding whether my apology is adequate. I honestly can’t stand the idea that I have to apologize at all. But I know that in order to keep my position, menial as it is, I’m obligated to afuckingpologize. Thus, this apologia. I’m sorry. I’m really, really, really, REALLY sorry. Okay? ...

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“Hey Ma,” by Bolbi Burner

Submitted to Contest #282

“Sorry I haven't been by in so long.” I reach up and coddle my chin with one hand before pushing it hard right, getting a pop out of it. A sharp snap of my wrist sends my head in the opposite direction. Two pops. “I guess your passing didn’t make me any better of a son, huh?” Wind sweeps over the graveyard. Some trees sway in the warm breeze. Overhead somber clouds mosey around in layers. They sift all life from the light so what tumbles out is dull, lifeless. I lean over in preparation to sit down, holding her headstone to steady mys...

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“Mark Morano, Sort of Loser” by Michelle M

Submitted to Contest #282

“Fuck. I didn’t mean that. I mean, I meant it, but, I didn’t want to say… Oh shit. Sorry, this is coming out all wrong! I…” Mark’s voice trailed off as the door slammed loudly and he was suddenly alone. Groaning, he rubbed his face in his hands. Damn it, damn it, damn it! So much for the high falutin’ restaurant celebration, huh. Speaking of, he’d better bloody phone and cancel that booking. There was no way he was paying through the nose for a fancy meal he wouldn’t even get to eat with Gabb...

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“The Ripples of The Comandante” by Bruno De Mendonca

Submitted to Contest #282

Angela blurted out from the shore of the marsh: “I really didn’t think it was your ring when I picked it from my purse. I-I thought it was just a coin. I’m sorry!” I hitched up my blue dress with one arm. My feet entered the cold waters which I withstood unflinching. The tone of my voice was contained: “It’s okay. Just come help me.” I couldn’t bear to hear any more apologies. One more of them would make me question my anger. At this moment, I wanted the red ire to wash through my body and make me forget the other parts of the night. The mo...

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“A New Year’s Liar” by Abby Letson

Submitted to Contest #282

Here’s the thing about New Year’s — it’s the day of the year that’s filled with the most lies. I suppose I should apologize to those few people who don’t fall into the category of New Year’s Liars, the ones who actually do go to the gym and save money and eat better and spend more time with their kids. Travel more, or whatever. There are those people who follow through with their New Year’s resolutions, and to them I’m sorry. But to everybody else, to most people, I’m not sorry. I’m just being honest. Because the kind of lies people make whe...

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“To My Child” by Michaela Christoff

Submitted to Contest #282

This story features a brief mention of domestic violence, giving up a child for adoption and just a general sense of unease. I am so sorry. I’ve written the words a thousand times. I’ve written them on paper with brand-new pens. I’ve typed them on my computer in liminal word documents. The words have sat alone waiting for more thoughts and emotions to join them and I just can’t find the right combination of vowels and consonants. Every syllable feels like a mistake and when I try to write stanzas of poetry to explain everything that...

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“THE HORNETS' NEST ” by Candy Burrowbridge

Submitted to Contest #282

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please don't leave. You have to consider the source. They are young inexperienced stylists and the receptionists...well you know they're receptionists. You are a valuable member of our team here at Just Primpin' Salon. Things won't be the same if you leave", Sarah, the owner, said she she chased Jean out the back door. Sarah followed her on her way to the parking structure. Jean dramatically turned to face Sarah, she said, "Your staff is vicious.I'm too old, to feel like I'm dealing with high school gossip. This was ju...

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“Removing the Stain” by Glenna Mageau

Submitted to Contest #282

“I’m sorry, Betty Rose.” Her fingers curled into a fist, a weak one but still her nails were touching her palm. It took a lot of effort but it gave her a bit of solace as did the irony of it. A short hour ago—or was it longer?—she was able to clutch a knife that the devil himself wouldn’t have been able to pry from her hands. Her gaze lifted to look out the window at the vast whiteness. The white blanket of snow covered everything. Well, almost everything. The leafless, grey trees that dotted her yard and acted like a barrier to the horrors ...

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“That-I Think-Is Love” by S Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #282

“I’m sorry that you can’t love.” As a poet, as a human, as a dreamer, I have learned to love. I have learned to grapple with loss, I have learned to endure the heart ache, and I have learned to heal. But you, my dear, you are so caught up with what people think, with distractions, that you cannot bear to confront the very pain which I have learned to feel and accept. You think that feeling is weak and that to feel, to express that feeling, is to be soft in a world where only the rough survive. I think that you’re wrong. “I loved you,” ...

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“The Apology” by Christine Cameron

Submitted to Contest #282

How many times do I have to tell you I’m sorry? You barely ever say you’re sorry. Every time I get upset you reluctantly step up to tell me how sorry you are. You seem to think that saying it one time will fix everything that happened and make it all okay again. It’s not OK. I told you that I would say it to you every single day if that were what it took to earn back your trust. Yes, you say that and then do nothing. Saying you will do something and not doing it only compounds my frustration and adds to my pain. But, I’ve said I’m sorry m...

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“Red Nail Polish” by Jaime Lyn Ferreira

Submitted to Contest #282

(Trigger Warning. Contents sexual violence, mental health & domestic violence) Look, I am sorry I’ve hurt you. I really am. You didn’t deserve my bullshit. There was so much I couldn’t tell you. I was afraid if you knew, saw, felt, the real me, you’d leave, and I’d be alone. The irony doesn’t escape me, as I lay alone in the dark, hoping, wishing you wouldn’t leave. I can hear you moving around in the next room, packing quietly. Your grief hits me then. Gone is your man anger. Your disappointment seeping in under and around the door jam...

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“How else could I show that I'm sorry?” by Zarah Quinn

Submitted to Contest #282

Warning *There is reference to assault and sexual assault in this story* I could never apologise enough for all the things I’ve done. All the things I will do. I know I’ve destroyed a lot of good things in your life. The life you are barely living in now. I always sought out what I pictured was the right thing to do. It all started when we were younger. You joked with all of your friends calling me names and I always laughed along. That’s what friends did right? So I would do it back but eventually you all left saying I was mean. I fi...

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“A Christmas Carol Miscast” by Tom Moser

Submitted to Contest #282

Content warning: Themes or references to discrimination and race.“I’m sorry for how . . .” she started to say before realizing the meeting was over. Shana was standing with her arms open and a smile on her face.It took Andrea an unreasonable amount of time during the meeting to figure out who Shana Jackson was. How could she be so dense? She had met Shana just over a month ago. Seattle is not so big that you may only meet somebody like Shana once in your life, especially when you are both involved in community theatre.Andrea had been a Seatt...

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Write a story that begins with an apology.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 81 stories

“An Apology for Timeline Disruptions” by Aaron Schuck

“The Weight of Regret” by Arlis Dietrick

“APOLOGIA” by Kajsa Mcgeorge

“Hey Ma,” by Bolbi Burner

“Mark Morano, Sort of Loser” by Michelle M

“The Ripples of The Comandante” by Bruno De Mendonca

“A New Year’s Liar” by Abby Letson

“To My Child” by Michaela Christoff

“THE HORNETS' NEST ” by Candy Burrowbridge

“Removing the Stain” by Glenna Mageau

“That-I Think-Is Love” by S Aldrich

“The Apology” by Christine Cameron

“Red Nail Polish” by Jaime Lyn Ferreira

“How else could I show that I'm sorry?” by Zarah Quinn

“A Christmas Carol Miscast” by Tom Moser

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story where a character relives the same event over and over again.

Write a story where someone who has done something wrong seeks a fresh start.

Write a story set in a world of darkness where light is suddenly discovered.

Write a story that starts and ends in the same place.

Contest #282

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

266

Contest entries

124

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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