Write your story from the perspective of an outsider watching something or someone change.

Posted in Middle School on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 45 stories

“Where You and I Meet” by Beth Jackson

Submitted to Contest #118

CW: Domestic Violence“Why are you so chipper today?” Gill asks, brushing bleach on her client’s hair in short, efficient strokes.I smile at her matronly interest in my love life. And her ability to sniff out gossip. “Nothing.”“There’s something.” She raises an eyebrow.I sweep the hair on the floor into a pile, ignoring Gill’s piqued interest prickling on my back.“It’s possible I’m seeing someone.” He has a chiselled jaw and an office with a view of the city. He's alluring and moody. I like him. Would she approve?Gill waggles her brush. “A ne...

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“Maybe Someday” by Tommie Michele

Submitted to Contest #118

She visited them every night. Some might have labeled her a stalker. A night-watcher, a bum, a girl clueless to the ways of the world. But they did not. They didn’t even know she existed. They never saw her tear-streaked face outside their window while they ate dinner, bathed in golden light. And that might’ve been her favorite thing about them. She was eleven when she saw them for the first time. It was their happiness that struck her, drew her eye, pulled her in and never let go. They were like a whirlpool, she always thought. Irresistible...

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“Wink” by Raymond Warters

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #118

"I'm gonna help animals become better than they are now," was the response I made to questions about what I could do with my biology degree. So, I applied to graduate schools to follow that goal; a north Florida university accepted me. Each new student needs a faculty advisor to supervise him and help him choose classes that further his goals. Working in the advisor's lab gives the student practical experience. Dr. Bluhen, a short, chubby man with thick spectacles,...

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“Incurable Vanishing” by S. Thomson

Submitted to Contest #118

ㅤI first noticed the change when Amy stopped cutting her fingernails. We were in the back seat of the car on the way home from an overcast day at the beach. Our parents had had a loud argument in the queue for the ice cream stand, so we drove in silence. The only sound was the anxious, rhythmic click of Amy’s nails against the car door. My father’s voice came from the driver’s seat. ㅤ“Amy. Stop that.” The rhythm ceased, incomplete. Light from the window behind her shone through the overhanging ends of her fingernails and I could see the dirt...

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“Circle of Life” by Diya Dhir

Submitted to Contest #118

Life, each day we wake up and wish that today will be a good day and everything we desire will simply fall into our arms. Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way. We need to work to achieve our goals in life or in some cases just to survive, yet for some working is an avocation. Although, no matter a person's social status in the world we all experience stumbling blocks in our lives. Our minds seem to think that being rich brings forth more ebullience and purpose in our entities. I once believed in that ridiculous notion too. Well, that wa...

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“Antlers” by Marnie Devereux

Submitted to Contest #118

It was when Claire woke up on Christmas morning that she discovered her husband had grown a pair of antlers. It had started a few days earlier. Buck had been complaining of a headache, and within a few hours there were two sizeable bumps on his forehead, the bruised skin tight and shiny. Claire assumed he must have hit his head during one of his regular late-night drinking sessions, and thought no more of it. But now there were two small, but very definite velvety buds protruding from his hairline. She was almost certain that they weren't th...

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“Crossing the Bridge ” by Sarbjeet Kaur

Submitted to Contest #118

Oddly rhythmic, sitting here like this. The jolting movement became a comforting dullness of my background. Like a baby still in its mothers’ belly, that’s how we feel sitting here. There is no urgency or rebellion, only the self sedation of acceptance. Keeping count of time was impossible so I was unsure of when I became disconnected with my other half.I still knew of its existence but an anxiety-laced thought provoked me that I would soon forget about it, or them, or me, I suppose. My other half is still me. Day and night were eternal...

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“Traveling Towards Sundown” by Lora Andreatta

Submitted to Contest #118

My shoulder hit the door as I jumped sideways — startled. The girl now sitting in the passenger seat of my car stared at me with wide eyes. I’m sure my face held a similar expression on it. I yanked the steering wheel back towards the road as we headed towards the ditch, and slammed the brakes on, screeching to a stop in the middle of the two-lane road.“Holy shit balls! Who the fuck are you?” I yelled. She looked around frantically, like a caged animal. “What the actual hell is going on?” I said, as my heart raced and threatened to explode. ...

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“A New Journey” by Kara Heisler

Submitted to Contest #118

Warning: Graphic depictions of violence “Faster!” Ash screamed, holding tight to Levi’s jacket. He shoved the older boy forwards, nearly causing him to trip over a fallen tree. The intense growls and shrieks ringing through the thick forest spurred Ash on to sprint even faster. He leapt over roots and dodged the low-hanging branches weighed down by ice covered orange and yellow leaves. All while keeping the other boy in his view. Ash wrenched his thoughts away from visible blood trickling down his friend's back. They would deal wit...

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“Teenage Changes” by Shanna Kelley

Submitted to Contest #118

As I was leaving work, I felt the chill in the air. Summer was turning into fall at a fast rate. I was unprepared for the cold air and realized too late, I did not have my jacket. I decided in that moment, I would go straight home from work. Lilly should be home tonight since it is a school night, we can order dinner in, I thought as I walked the car. I had decided to call Lilly on my way home, but she was not answering. I should not have been surprise...

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“Who You Were (Trigger Warning: Suicide)” by Donavan Barrier

Submitted to Contest #118

I never thought you would end up this way. Honestly, I didn’t really think about you much at all. In all of the years that we’ve known each other, it never struck me that you would be like this. But here we are. I don’t really know what to say here. Shocked isn’t the right word. It’s too extreme. Surprised? Maybe… There’s a better word here. I just know it… ah, to hell with it. I don’t know why I feel this way. It’s not that we were friends. Hell, we weren’t even acquaintances. I barely knew of...

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“Your Failing Frame” by Juniper Lark

Submitted to Contest #118

Your Failing FrameTrigger Warning: Eating Disorders, Self-Harm, SuicideIt’s starting again isn’t it? As my head lays across your chest, your heart beats slowly under my ear. You graze your hand across my cheek, but pull away when you start to shake. This subtle sign is one of the first that I notice. The next is a roar within your stomach. You ignore it once when I ask if you want breakfast. Twice it’s ignored, then three times, and then slowly I lose count. Once i...

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“A Season of Change” by Mary Briggs

Submitted to Contest #118

At first, I couldn’t believe what I was actually seeing. I wiped my glasses again to be sure I wasn’t hallucinating. I didn’t understand how this all could be possible. Just yesterday we were a normal, functional family. I don’t think I’m asleep and dreaming all this (pinched myself to be sure), nope, not sleeping. I’m wide awake and witnessing this, this, what can I call it, a miracle? Yes, I’m going to call it a miracle. Miracles happen every day! Usually, to other people, but I suppose it can happen...

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“The Tunnel of Love Saga” by Bruce Friedman

Submitted to Contest #118

I want to share a story with you about my employer, Euclid Beach Park. I worked at the Park in Cleveland during the summer of 1948. I sold cotton candy and popcorn balls. After I graduated from college in 1952, I was hired into a full-time job. I worked my way up in management until I was appointed as the Manager of Operations ten years later. Little did I know how events at the Park would totally shape my life. Think of what occurred as a sort of slow-motion alien invasion.***My position in the Park management was somewhat unusual because I...

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“Promises” by Emma Louise

Submitted to Contest #118

Trigger Warning: Alcohol, Suicide I will always remember the first time I held my daughter. She is so tiny, eighteen inches and seven pounds. This little baby in my arms seems so fragile, so easily hurt, and she has become my entire world. From this moment, I promise myself and her that I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. My nose is not six inches from her tiny, wrinkly pink face when she opens her striking green eyes, already fringed with thick, dark lashes, and blinks up at me. She opens her little mouth, red and toothless, and...

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Write your story from the perspective of an outsider watching something or someone change.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 45 stories

“Where You and I Meet” by Beth Jackson

“Maybe Someday” by Tommie Michele

“Wink” by Raymond Warters

“Incurable Vanishing” by S. Thomson

“Circle of Life” by Diya Dhir

“Antlers” by Marnie Devereux

“Crossing the Bridge ” by Sarbjeet Kaur

“Traveling Towards Sundown” by Lora Andreatta

“A New Journey” by Kara Heisler

“Teenage Changes” by Shanna Kelley

“Who You Were (Trigger Warning: Suicide)” by Donavan Barrier

“Your Failing Frame” by Juniper Lark

“A Season of Change” by Mary Briggs

“The Tunnel of Love Saga” by Bruce Friedman

“Promises” by Emma Louise

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with “Today’s the day I change.”

Write about a character, animal or human, who is reborn as something totally different.

Your character picks up a fallen leaf and can’t believe what they discover underneath it. What happens next?

Set your story during a sudden change of season.

Contest #118

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

204

Contest entries

140

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: