Start your story with someone stepping outside their comfort zone.

Posted in Middle School on Oct 25, 2022

Submissions are closed

Sorry, we are not accepting submissions for this prompt as it is not part of an active contest. Make sure you don't miss our next contest by creating your free Reedsy Prompts account.

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 60 stories

“Bit Uncomfortable” by Lee-Anne Archibald

Submitted to Contest #135

I knocked loudly. I knocked loudly again, like a cops knock. The seedy little man, behind the door, told me that he'd "have the money," in an hour. Id been here twice already,and I told him that this was the "last trip," I was going to make to him, for our clubs money. I was warranted the collector, in our clubs, goings ons. We didn't mind, lending our money but, if you didn't pay on time, there would be taxes. If you didn't pay the taxes, there would be broken legs. This guy was at the start paying taxes stage. We wanted our money back with...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Brazen, Brave, Bold” by Shelby Rose

Submitted to Contest #135

It a gorgeous August night. The heat has been tamped down with a cool breeze reminding us all that fall is right around the corner waiting for us. Tonight, our small town celebrates the children and teachers gearing up for the start of the school year. I always thought of it as a funeral for the last day of summer. Charlie steps up to the mic under the gazebo at the center of town. Sticky sweat gathering on the back of his neck and running away from his hairline. He’s not a public speaker. He has never had the urge to be the one in the spotl...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Southward to Fight” by James Grasham

Submitted to Contest #135

It was midday and the blazing summer sun beat down on Luthar’s bare back as Leyton came for him again, wooden training sword swirling. His muscles screamed in defiance as he blocked blow after blow, each falling faster than the last. The clack clack clack of the wooden swords meeting beat Luthar’s ears as much as any of the strikes he faced. He missed a high block and Leyton’s sword came crashing down onto his shoulder, pain lanced down his arm and exploded in his hand. He dropped his sword into the dirt and Leyton kicked it away, out of rea...

6 comments 6

Read story

“Do I Dare?” by Lavonne H.

Submitted to Contest #135

I want to do this. I need to do this. I can do this.He is hiding in a wooden shed that has been repurposed from wood taken from an old outhouse to now hold garden tools. In the summer heat, the smell of urine and fecal matter permeates the small space. He wants to puke.Is that strong enough to show what is happening or am I telling the story again? Why don’t I get what that means anyway---’show, don’t tell’?I miss my old Smith Corona typewriter. I would love to rip the page with these words from the platen and scrunch it up into a paper ball...

17 comments 17

Read story

“The Goliath” by Abigail O

Submitted to Contest #135

“It’s so tall!” I whisper-shouted to Grace as we waited in line with Ethan, Tiffany, and Jack to ride the Goliath roller coaster. “I know, right! I bet you can see the whole park up there!” Grace said in awe as we stared up at the coaster that was currently at its highest point on the track. “Sharlene?” I heard Tiffany call my name and turned to face her. “Are you sure you want to ride this one? I know you insisted we ride it, but I just want to make sure you’re still up for it.” I nodded, “Absolutely! I’ve never been more sure in my entire ...

1 comment 1

Read story

“On the Line” by Suma Jayachandar

Submitted to Contest #135

[🌈St Mary’s Middle School]29 July 2020[Geeta chamchi Co-ord Dear teachers, Sister will conduct a meeting at 4.00 p.m. on Zoom today. Please download the app and be prepared 😊 💖][Aneesa quick gun HindiMadam, why?][Rita anti-tech Games P.E. teachers also? And where is this Zoom?][Daniel suave ScienceIt’s on Play Store][Rita anti-tech GamesPlay Where!?][Niru know- it- all Math🤣 Play Store! that colourful arrow kind of thing on your mobile][Me- fence sitter- English Madam, how to join the meeting? 😊][Geeta chamch...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Dancing Queen” by Sean Sorce

Submitted to Contest #135

'I can't believe Im doing this...' I said this to myself as I'm walking towards Tracy after she has been signaling me for quite some time. I dont blame her after all I'm her date as of tonight for our high school Sadie's dance, which is something completely out of my comfort zone mind ya. I probably should explain how it all came to this.SEVERAL MOMENTS EARLIER:'Gosh darn it, my mother was right: Tracy is the prettiest out there,' I said to myself as I watch my Sadie date dancing there with her friends to "Dancing Queen" by ABBA. Tracy was w...

0 comments 0

Read story

“3am - 6am” by Belinda Marie Cree

Submitted to Contest #135

Sam bolted upright in his bunk, his head missing the deckhead by millimetres as he swept his legs over to thump down on the floor and find his phone to turn off the alarm before it woke up his bunk mates. Snooze? No, off completely. Sam put his silenced phone under his pillow as the curtain closest to him twitched... The body inside groaning, rolling from one side to the other before settling back in. Sam let out a breath, that hadn’t really worked had it. He was sure everyone was awake now, so carefully picked up his gear before shuffling...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Winging It - Outside The Comfort Zone Of Kiwi Omerta” by Anna Rogers

Submitted to Contest #135

Facing Gwen my therapist I heave a sigh.‘Fussy ould mother hen wanting to gather this chick under her wing.’Or if she was being honest that of my family’s nemesis Detective Inspector Somers of Auckland Police. Like Victor Hugo’s arch villain Inspector Javert he’s dogged our footsteps since foreva.”The offer of Witness Protection’s still open.”, says Gwen in her no nonsense manner.“Wit-less Protection. Thanks but no thanks.”She means well, but that comes with strings. Like being in Somers’ clutches for an unspecified length of time. Otherwise...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Never Say Never” by Beverli Barnes

Submitted to Contest #135

Never Say Never I’m about to do the thing I said I would never do. Run an ultra. I said the same about running a marathon but have completed six. I think most people prefer to hear how much you’ve suffered rather than how smoothly and effortless your race went. Unless you’re a runner however, you could probably care less either way. Although I have trained rigorously the past five months, nothing could have prepared me for what I am about to encounter. The weather has changed drastica...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Detonating Hope” by G Suzanne

Submitted to Contest #135

“In conclusion, I believe that visiting and learning from iconic leaders from the past, like Wangari Maathai and Dr. Vandana Shiva, would be the best use of an opportunity to time travel. Thank you." Millie made fists to hide her trembling fingers as she crossed the stage self-consciously and made her way back to her seat. She hated being the center of attention, and had nearly skipped the event. She could feel the mocking eyes of the other finalists, doubtless both top tenth-graders who, unlike her, had not scribbled their essays do...

3 comments 3

Read story

“The Sweet First Step” by Misty Phillips

Submitted to Contest #135

Tick… tick… tick… tick… Malory flinched at each sound that clock made. Once it was a calming sound, a sound of structure and familiarness. Today, it counted down the seconds to her doom. She clenched at the arm of her favorite chair, her manicured nails digging deep into the leather skin as she heard the most dreaded sound possible. Knock, knock, knock. A whimper escaped her lips, and her legs betrayed her. She couldn’t stand… or wouldn’t. She was comfortable here. She didn’t want to go. Knock–knock–knock. It was faster now. They must h...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Yes Wo(man)” by Allie Paige

Submitted to Contest #135

“Hey Hallie,” Marta, my best friend, plops her body next to me, hearing the sound of my bean bag chair. “What you doing this week since we are off school? “I don’t know. I might just stay home and read.” I reply, thinking about the carnival that’s coming to town. “That’s not the correct answer,” she chuckles, revealing her perfectly aligned pearly whites. “We get the whole week off of school and you’re not even going to go to the carnival? It’s the reason we are off.” “Yeah I’m not a big fan of heights and you know people,”...

1 comment 1

Read story

“The Paladin” by Paul Brown

Submitted to Contest #135

The PaladinShe walks across the stone flagged floor, her betrothed by her iron barred door.Entrenched in a draughty high tower, she not one to lose her hidden power.A noble girl from a distant land, come courting south for a fair hand.Knights and nobles with bright banners, drinking and feasting with poor manners.None stand out of the milling crowd, the unruly noise far to loud.For a forest girl with earth brown hair, her eyes leaf green and complexion fair.Freckled cheeks and a wandering eye, she wants an equally dauntless tie.To bind her h...

5 comments 5

Read story

“No Good Deed” by Annette Bay

Submitted to Contest #135

Katrina was just walking through the door when her smartphone started ringing. The rings were muffled because the phone was buried somewhere in the depths of her handbag. She set down the bag of groceries on the nearest and reached into the bag, her hand searching for her phone. She managed to locate it before it went to voicemail. It was her close friend Bethany. “Hello.” “Katrina! Oh, good, glad I caught you.” Bethany sounded out of breath and somewhat agitated. “What’s up, Beth? Is everything okay?” “No, no, it’s not okay, actual...

10 comments 10

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about a hero or a villain deathly afraid of doing their job.

Adventure – 37 stories

Set your story in a town full of cowards.

Fiction – 31 stories

Write a story where fortune doesn’t favor the brave.

Thriller and Suspense – 38 stories

Write about a casual act of bravery.

Narrative – 46 stories

Contest #135

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: I Wanna See You Be Brave

$250

Prize money

212

Contest entries

154

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Mar 04, 2022 EST

Won by Thom With An H 🏆

Title: Home of the Brave

View details

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

Menu

CONNECT

BLOG

APPS

TOOLS

ABOUT

Start your story with someone stepping outside their comfort zone.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 60 stories

“Bit Uncomfortable” by Lee-Anne Archibald

“Brazen, Brave, Bold” by Shelby Rose

“Southward to Fight” by James Grasham

“Do I Dare?” by Lavonne H.

“The Goliath” by Abigail O

“On the Line” by Suma Jayachandar

“Dancing Queen” by Sean Sorce

“3am - 6am” by Belinda Marie Cree

“Winging It - Outside The Comfort Zone Of Kiwi Omerta” by Anna Rogers

“Never Say Never” by Beverli Barnes

“Detonating Hope” by G Suzanne

“The Sweet First Step” by Misty Phillips

“Yes Wo(man)” by Allie Paige

“The Paladin” by Paul Brown

“No Good Deed” by Annette Bay

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about a hero or a villain deathly afraid of doing their job.

Set your story in a town full of cowards.

Write a story where fortune doesn’t favor the brave.

Write about a casual act of bravery.

Contest #135

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

212

Contest entries

154

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: