Start your story in a coffee shop without using obvious words to describe it (e.g. barista, coffee cup.)

Posted in Narrative on Sep 15, 2023

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✍️ 69 stories

“Accidently in Love” by Ian Grogan

Submitted to Contest #216

His fingers run across his jawline as he examines the piece of artwork hanging on the brick wall. The days-old scruff scratches him until his fingers meet his thumb at the crux of his chin. Deep in thought, Robert wonders why these sporadic lines and splotches of colors are worth $750 as he pans from the handwritten price tag taped to the wall and back to the painting, closely analyzing it through focused eyes. He can’t recall how many times he has looked at it. At this point, he could paint it himself. He could use the $750, at least.He bac...

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“The Bright Lady” by Michael Malzacher

Submitted to Contest #216

The big modern baroque glass doors with tall parallel handles swing open. Immediately my nose is filled with the dense scent of roast. The tiles inside appear as if they are flickering, reflecting light at various angles as I move my head around the door and walk inside. The ambience within the room is much more peaceful than outside. The door shuts behind me and suddenly my ears are almost silent in comparison to before I had walked in. Calm jazz is playing, or is it lo-fi? I can't even tell, but it fits the atmosphere perfectly. Low but no...

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“Choking on Citrus” by Sue Hunter

Submitted to Contest #216

It was bad enough that AI had overthrown humanity. It was even worse that Harri had to work in retail for them. He was on his knees, scrubbing the linoleum floor with a sponge that had long since lost its bright yellow color. He tried to ignore his boss’s eyes on him as he dunked the sponge into a bucket of soapy water. If he let up his cleaning regimen for even a moment, Robo-Boss would be on him in an instant. Harri had no idea why people thought robots couldn’t express emotions because his boss was the moodiest AI on this side of the co...

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“Just the Usual” by Mary Pennington

Submitted to Contest #216

“Just the usual,” I say to the cashier, but there’s nothing usual about today. Why is he in town?, I think to myself. “Coming right up!” she says with a smile. I tap my card to the machine on the counter. “Oh and make that for here this time,” I add quickly as she turns around to prepare my order. I look down at my watch, 8:56 am. I wait at the counter at the end of the register. Smells of morning time waft through the air, people on their phones wait in the queue, everyone is in a rush to get somewhere. I watch as paper cups before me ar...

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“The Nook” by Davie McGuinn

Submitted to Contest #216

I’m generally not a selfish person, but one must understand the unwritten rules of the nook. I made my way up the stairs, each solid oak step creaking beneath my weight. At the top, I was relieved to see that I had it all to myself. I sat my belongings on the live edge table next to some out-of-print literary magazines and cozied up against the edge of my favorite window. Raindrops slowly trickled down one by one outside, gently tapping the tin roof below. The sound of a splashing puddle and spray of water occurred with each passing car. I o...

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“Drink me” by Paige Bauer

Submitted to Contest #216

***Trigger warnings include: self harm, grief, anxiety, and depression.*** Here I am, sitting in another room. I feel as if every room is the same, just painted over with lies and pretty fabrics. I’ve never been here before, but every wall surrounds me in thick air and I still can’t breathe. Anxiety brews deep within my aching bones. I bite my nails and feel disgusted. I contemplate chewing my lip instead, until I realize if I were to follow through with those urges, I would fall into old habits from my childhood and young teenage years, a...

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“Remember When...” by Ryder Blow

Submitted to Contest #216

I can hardly remember the last time I was here. It must’ve been awhile. God, I look back at this place fondly. So many happy and tragic memories here. Most I’d rather not remember, hence why I can hardly recall this place in a lot of detail. The only thing that I do recall that’s never changed is that sweet scent of dark roast. My favourite. I always used to get it black, iced, and with a fruit muffin on the side. Their bakery was great as well. Nothing better than a fresh baked muffin on a Moody Monday. The smell of fresh baked ...

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“No Goodbyes” by Kate Leanne

Submitted to Contest #216

With an air of unreality a woman stepped into the small building that was adorned with earth tones and heavy with the strong scent of steamed bitter hazelnut-chocolate-caramel and the low murmur of contented voices as their lips touched cooked white porcelain through grinning ignorant mouths.Through the sea of people she could spot her companion seated alone at a table-for-four, his hands tapping on the polished oak with clear impatience.Somehow his eyes locked on to hers within a second, the blackened coal burning with anticipation.The...

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“A Familiar Scent at the Coffee Shop” by Momo Delsor

Submitted to Contest #216

For weeks now, a certain scent had drawn him to this place each morning. still unusual, yet the scent of an intricate figure, had been pulling him through the doorway and into the bustling symphony within. He settled into his usual worn leather chair in the corner and was assaulted by layers of sound and texture as he waited, for her. He cataloged each sensory detail, clinging to these impressions like a lifeline. The rising heat from a fresh mug, the sharp citrus oils released into the air when a lemon is squeezed - these things he could un...

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“Probably for the Best” by Aaron Schmidt

Submitted to Contest #216

"Why are you here?" Ryan always asked questions he knew the answer to when he was frustrated. She rolled her eyes. Exasperated, she looked out the floor to ceiling windows. Just through the reflection of the white oak wood paneling of the shop's interior her eyes caught some construction workers climbing scaffolding across the street. She looked back at him with a slow blink. "I work here." She said, clearly familiar with his ruse. Stubbornly he pressed, "No I mean, why are we here?" A young man dressed in black slacks, a button up, and a re...

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“Can I Get That To Go?” by David Willett

Submitted to Contest #216

A bitter and muddy aftertaste tingled on my palette. Even the smell of it burns my nostrils as I take another mouthful. I would be more relaxed and satisfied at my usual morning haunt. Instead, I settle for the ‘good enough’ imitation of my daily ritual. Familiar and friendly faces swapped with clanging luggage trollies and raised voices attempting to order through language barriers. Still, I would gladly remain hidden amongst the caffeinated chaos rather than face what awaited me at home. I stare at the scraps of blueberries on my plate, w...

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“Why Today?” by Anamarie Coriell

Submitted to Contest #216

As the bullets rang out and the casings clanged to the floor, I thought to myself: “Why today?” The sound of the full auto high caliber gun firing was so overpowering, I could barely hear anyone else. For a moment, the gun was so booming loud and the five other patrons and three employees were so quiet that I thought I was alone with these two giants of men.I was hiding under the dark oak wood round table and right in front of the small window seat with a bright flower design, clinging to the tiled floor as the man with the gun wearing the b...

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“Alien Discourse” by A Case

Submitted to Contest #216

Frank sat rigid and still except for his bouncing knee hidden under the table. He put pressure on the ball of his right foot. That spot that always gave the satisfying involuntary knee bounce. It was comforting, providing as much relief as possible in a public place. Spikes of anxiety lurked in the recesses of his brain, hanging in the dark corners, waiting. He longed for the dark cave of his basement. He checked his watch again, 16:20 ten units more than the agreed upon orientation schedule. These later models had more problems with the hu...

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“Brewtiful Moments” by Mara Rouge

Submitted to Contest #216

“A tall blond for Lily!” “Coming!” I was just putting down my bag when I heard Jamie call me. As I walk back to the counter, I see a woman getting my order. I guess she did not realize it was for me. “Excuse me—" I say to her. “This one is mine.” “Oh, I am sorry. I thought this was my order. I did not hear him call anyone.” “No, I am pretty sure he called Lily. Me!” I say pointing to my chest. “Err, the tall blond is for her,” Jamie says from distance, while processing a customer’s payment. “Thanks, Jamie! Aww, I love the tul...

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“Speak!” by Obakengs Masekos

Submitted to Contest #216

Speak! On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, Anna-Claire leans against the window counting the raindrops as they went down the smooth pane of glass that protects her from the lurking eyes outside, of curious people wondering why this girl looks drained of her youthful spirit. Almost as if the weather perfectly resembles how she feels inside. Although, for Anna-Claire it was more complex than just that. The rain always comforted her, even as a little girl – she loved sitting on her father's lap as he gently swings on a rocking chair pointing out t...

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Start your story in a coffee shop without using obvious words to describe it (e.g. barista, coffee cup.)

Submissions are closed

✍️ 69 stories

“Accidently in Love” by Ian Grogan

“The Bright Lady” by Michael Malzacher

“Choking on Citrus” by Sue Hunter

“Just the Usual” by Mary Pennington

“The Nook” by Davie McGuinn

“Drink me” by Paige Bauer

“Remember When...” by Ryder Blow

“No Goodbyes” by Kate Leanne

“A Familiar Scent at the Coffee Shop” by Momo Delsor

“Probably for the Best” by Aaron Schmidt

“Can I Get That To Go?” by David Willett

“Why Today?” by Anamarie Coriell

“Alien Discourse” by A Case

“Brewtiful Moments” by Mara Rouge

“Speak!” by Obakengs Masekos

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a scene in which a character’s behavior or reaction to something is affected by a past experience — without saying what that experience was.

Include dialogue that shows that a character is socially awkward.

Include a scene in your story in which a character's body language conveys their hidden emotions.

Write a story with an open ending that gives readers just enough details to draw their own conclusions.

Contest #216

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

284

Contest entries

114

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: