Write your story as text messages or an online conversation between two characters — and at least one of them isn’t who they say they are.

Posted in Dramatic on Feb 7, 2025

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✍️ 29 stories

“Remember me? ” by Taiwo Oludotun

Submitted to Contest #289

**Jade_87:** Hey, stranger. It’s been a while. How’ve you been? **EchoesOfYou:** Hey, Jade. I’m… okay. Just trying to figure things out. You know how it is. **Jade_87:** Yeah, I get that. Life’s been a mess for me too. Work’s crazy, and I feel like I’m forgetting things all the time. Like, little things. Where I put my keys, what I ate for breakfast. It’s weird. **EchoesOfYou:** Memory’s funny like that. It’s not always reliable. Sometimes it feels like it’s not even ours. **Jade_87:** That’s ...

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“Blocked/Unblocked” by Michael Palmieri

Submitted to Contest #289

Unknown Number: You looked ravishing in that suit today. And that tie? Nice touch. It really brought out your eyes.Nathan frowned at the message, fingers hovering over his screen.Me: Who is this?The response came almost immediately.Unknown Number: Just someone who lives in the building.Nathan leaned back on his couch, glancing toward the window. His unit was on the top floor—he hadn’t exactly had time to mingle with neighbors yet.Me: Friendly place, I guess. Do I know you?Unknown Number: No, I don’t believe you do.His jaw tightened slightly....

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“Unauthorized Match” by Gary Phipps

Submitted to Contest #289

Mid-day Dec 23rd Kendall swiped through the dating app, half-interested, half-bored. Holiday leave was supposed to be relaxing, but mostly it just reminded him how little he had to do outside of work. He exhaled and tapped on a new match. Kendoll86: Hey there! I'm Kendall, 25, and I live in Fayetteville. Been here a few years now. What about you? MysteryG1rl: Hi Kendall! Nice to meet you. I'm Sarah, 28, also in Fayetteville. Been here for a while, but always looking to meet new people. Kendoll86: It’s nice to meet you too, Sarah. So what bri...

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“A Matter of Urgency” by Marina Baptista

Submitted to Contest #289

Subject: URGENT: Assistance Required – Your Immediate Attention Needed Dear Beloved Friend, I am Prince Olumide Okonjo, the last surviving son of His Royal Majesty, King Adewale Okonjo III, the former ruler of the Great Kingdom of Lagos, Nigeria. I am writing to you in the strictest confidence as I seek a trustworthy foreign partner to assist me in a most urgent and delicate matter. Before my father’s untimely passing, he entrusted me with access to a secret family fortune of $27.8 million USD, securely deposited in an offshore bank account ...

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“NateTheGreat143” by Alexandria Stilley

Submitted to Contest #289

New Chat to NateTheGreat143 Kellylicious’89 to NateTheGreat143 - Dec 27 @ 10:48pmHi Nate, I know we don’t know each other, but I really connected with your post quoting Shakespeare: The course of true love never did run smooth…What made you post it? NateTheGreat143 to Kellylicious’89 - Dec 29 @ 8:28amHi Kelly. Thanks for your message.I first found the image of the wilting flower, it made me a bit sad when I saw it so I started looking for quotes that matched.When I came across that Shakespeare quote, I just knew - that was my post. So glad i...

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“Robbie” by Jason Wrubell

Submitted to Contest #289

It’s still too hot out. I use the cleanest part of my forearm to wipe away the sweat before it reaches my eyes. Should’ve waited til later in the day to weed the flower beds. A chime sounds in my pocket. I put down the trowel and pull the phone out. Under this afternoon sun, I have to squint to make out the notification. New Message From: ROBBIEFor a few seconds, I just stare at the words, reading them again and again, then sit down heavily in the dirt. I swipe across the screen and read the message.Mom? Its me. You there?I can’t believ...

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“AI Obsession” by Adhan Ali

Submitted to Contest #289

[GROUP CHAT: Christie & Jenny]Christie: It’s over. He’s finally out of my life. I should feel relieved, but I don’t. I just feel… empty.Jenny: I’m so sorry, babe. You deserve better. If you need anything, I’m here. Always.Christie: Thanks. I just don’t even know how to process it. I don’t want to talk to people. Everyone asks the same thing. “How are you holding up?” “Are you okay?” And I hate lying.Jenny: Then don’t. Maybe you just need a way to vent without feeling pressured. Have you ever tried AI therapy?Christie: What?Jenny: Like an...

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“Rent the Slay: A Customer Service Chat” by Alex Marmalade

Submitted to Contest #289

*A transcript from the Rent the Slay customer service chat portal, 2:14 AM EST* **Welcome to Rent the Slay! I'm Marcus. How can I help make your evening more fabulous?** Hi Marcus! Sorry to bother you so late. I need help with a return label for the Louboutins I got on Friday? The red ones with the crystal heel? Usually there's a label in the box but I can't find it anywhere. And I know it's super late but I have to get these packed up for tomorrow and I'm kind of freaking out. **Please don't apologize - the night shift exists precisely for ...

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“Enhanced Virtual Assistant” by Lindsay Nicole

Submitted to Contest #289

Monday – 6:32 PM Natalie: E.V.A., activate Online Access and Microphone Mode. E.V.A.: Online access activated. Microphone Mode activated. Speech-to-text functionality enabled. All commands will be transcribed and processed. Natalie: Log in and display today’s notifications. E.V.A.: Welcome home, Natalie. You have five unread notifications. Would you like me to read them aloud? Natalie: Just summarize. E.V.A.: A home software update is available for E.V.A. system. Security system diagnostic completed at 4:00 PM—no threats detected. Your groc...

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“Through a screen, Christine, darkly” by Avery Sparks

Submitted to Contest #289

Stanley Whitmore: Good evening. Kristina Taynychenko: hello, Mr. Whitmore. How are you doing this evening? SW: Please forgive the lateness of these replies; I am not well equipped, as you might say, to type as quickly as the youngsters. I am very pleased to “virtually meet” you. This evening I am sitting at my computer, looking out onto my garden. My daughter thought it might be nice for me to have a more verdant view as I sit here, I suppose to give some kind of illusion that I am not simply sitting before a machine. I must say, it is rathe...

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“Pants On Fire” by Karma *

Submitted to Contest #289

Sarah walked into her condo and tossed her purse and keys onto the counter. “Ughhh! Worst date in history!” she said out loud, opening the fridge to pour a generous glass of wine. “That was utterly a huge waste of time and definitely the most ridiculous!” She called her bestie to cringe over it together, but sadly, her friend wasn’t picking up. Ah well! She’d check her Messenger for messages in the meantime.The summer evening breeze was still warm despite the fact it was turning pitch black out with twinkling diamonds for stars. Grabbing her...

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“<Hey Dad.>” by Casey Plazola

Submitted to Contest #289

<Hey, dad. It’s me again.> The words appeared on the screen as my thumbs moved over the keyboard. I sighed and continued typing. <School’s going great, straight A’s; like always. I have finals coming up though, so I’m going to study at a friend’s house tonight. Was just thinking of you. Miss you.> I sent the message and set my phone down. I grabbed my science book from my desk and stuffed it into my already full backpack. I swung the bag over my shoulder and grunted. “This thing weighs a ton,” I told myself. I grabbed m...

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“Tangled” by Olivia B

Submitted to Contest #289

WhatsApp – 4:12 PM[New Message from 🎩]🎩: You there?(Alex stares at the screen. Her thumb hovers over the screen. After everything, he has the nerve to text her?)(She exhales sharply, then finally types back.)🦊: Wasn’t expecting to hear from you.🎩: Missed you today.(Alex frowns. That’s not how this is supposed to go. He ended it. He was the one who freaked out.)🦊: I’m sure you did.🎩: Could barely focus at work.(Alex rolls her eyes. What is this? Nostalgia hour? Does he think they can just slip back into this like nothing happened?)🦊: What do ...

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“Jack and Jill go up the hill of suspicion” by Les Wilson

Submitted to Contest #289

WhatsApp ConversationGroup: Jack and Jill Jill: Hey Jack! It's so much easier chatting here than on that dating site.Jack: Definitely! I'm enjoying this much more.Jill: I have to say, you're even more handsome in this photo than the one you used back thereJack: Thanks, Jill! As I said, I think that you are pretty stunning. Any man would fancy you. I can’t understand why you are on a dating site.Jill: Thanks! 😍 You must have a load of exes out there just drooling for you to get back in touchJack: I wish. How has your week gone so far? Have yo...

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Write your story as text messages or an online conversation between two characters — and at least one of them isn’t who they say they are.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 29 stories

“Remember me? ” by Taiwo Oludotun

“Blocked/Unblocked” by Michael Palmieri

“Unauthorized Match” by Gary Phipps

“A Matter of Urgency” by Marina Baptista

“NateTheGreat143” by Alexandria Stilley

“Robbie” by Jason Wrubell

“AI Obsession” by Adhan Ali

“Rent the Slay: A Customer Service Chat” by Alex Marmalade

“Enhanced Virtual Assistant” by Lindsay Nicole

“Through a screen, Christine, darkly” by Avery Sparks

“Pants On Fire” by Karma *

“<Hey Dad.>” by Casey Plazola

“Tangled” by Olivia B

“Jack and Jill go up the hill of suspicion” by Les Wilson

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with the lines: “The room is unfamiliar. I don’t know how I got here.”

Write an open-ended story in which your character’s fate is uncertain.

Write a story in which a character discovers that a truth they've believed their whole life is either false or not the whole story.

Your character is getting changed in the bathroom of a nightclub or restaurant, then emerges looking completely different. Why?

Contest #289

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

364

Contest entries

155

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: