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

“Text Therapy” by K.A. Murray

Submitted to Contest #289

Hi, Annalise. Hi, Dr. Maguire. So… So. How’s this week been? LOL. Where do I begin? You can begin wherever you feel most comfortable, Annalise. This is your session, after all. I appreciate that, Dr. Maguire. I know the state of the world is terrible right now, but - But that’s not what you want to talk about today, and that’s okay.Is it? Because I feel guilty, Dr. Maguire. There’s hunger, and war, and I just - Yes, Annalise. I’ve just been thinking about having sex with my next-door neighbor. I understand. Do you want to tell me more about ...

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“Reformat” by Orwell King

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #289

[PRIVATE CHAT – 2:13 AM]Alex: Jay, something’s wrong. I checked my records, my ID, my photos, everything before two years ago is missing.Jay: Alex… stop.Alex: I’m serious. I don’t remember my childhood. I don’t remember where I was before we met.Jay: That’s just your mind playing tricks on you. It happens.Alex: It’s like I only started existing two years ago.Jay: …That’s not possible.Alex: Right? But then I searched my name.Jay: And?Alex: There was an obituary. Same name. Same age. Died two years ago.Jay: That’s just a coincidence.Alex: I fo...

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“The Date” by Lily Finch

Submitted to Contest #289

Can u meet me @ Bix? Sure. Todd, right? Huh, yeah, Todd. C you there in 10? Good. I'll be wearing red. Me, too. Been here for five where are you? I'm sitting at a table by the door. You must've walked past me. Heading back to the door now. No, don't see you. You sure you're in the right place? Yep. You? Bix on Main at Fifth. Oh, no. I'm at Bix on 32nd and Hall. Too far to meet now. What's up, anyway? I need to talk. I'm down. Why? You are so talented and so beautiful. Thanks. But I don't feel that way. What do you feel like? Like nothing. Li...

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“Messages” by Ghost Writer

Submitted to Contest #289

{Friend request for Jenny Briggs from Tyler Rogers.}{Jenny accepts friend request.}Tyler: Hi Jenny. I came across your profile, you know, through a friend of a friend of a friend, and I have to admit, I found you quite striking. Any chance we can chat and get to know each other?Jenny: You are cute, but I don’t know. How old are you? Tyler: I’m fourteen. I go to Lakewood High. You?Jenny: I’m thirteen. I’m still in Junior High. I go to Kennedy.Tyler: Oh, okay, so you’ll probably go to Sherman next year. That’s a shame, we dominate them at...

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“The wrong words” by Victoria West

Submitted to Contest #289

Josh lay with his feet hanging over the couch, his eyes closed. He started to drift off to sleep, but then… his phone buzzed. He jumped to his feet in surprise, knocking his phone off in the process. He scrambled to recover it. No damage was done and he sighed in relief. He turned the phone on. Who was messaging him? Or was it just another ad? He switched to notifications. Huh it was a real message not just some spam. Oliver had texted him. The message read.“Hey Josh what’s up,”He started typing a response “The sky! What’s up for you?” Then ...

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“Second Unknown Number” by Alaina Hammond

Submitted to Contest #289

(content note: References to cancer, murder and abuse.) Second Unknown Number (Over text) Unknown number: Hey Thera, this is Liza’s friend Avery. I’m with her now. She gave me your number. Me: That’s creepy, but whatever. I hope she’s doing better. Unknown number: She’s not. Me: I’m very sorry to hear that. Unknown number: She picked a fight with you on purpose, so you wouldn’t feel as sad when she died. Me: OK, that was an abusive thing to do, and I don’t respond to abuse. I wish her well. Good luck. Unknown number: I’m going to tell...

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“Working From Home” by Shawn Roberts

Submitted to Contest #289

9:47 PMSarah: Hey Danny, you up?Danny: hey sisSarah: This is going to sound weird but I keep hearing these strange notification sounds from my phone. Not just notifications, but like…echoes... different?9:49 PMDanny: diff how? What’s an echo notification tbh, prob just the bldg settling9:50 PMSarah: Like it's distorted or something. Almost like it's underwater. I put the phone in the bedroom so I could focus on this work project but I’m still freaking out.Danny: ok, maybe your phone’s haunted or ur prob just tired tbh. how many hrs u been at...

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“A Life a Day keeps Love Away” by Bruce Ma

Submitted to Contest #289

A Life a Day Keeps Love AwayContains text abrieviations: gf - girlfriend, wdym - what do you mean, ik - I know, smth - something, btw - by the way, idk - i don't know.___The cacophony of noises blared in crescendo—cars honking, birds chirping, the distant hum of a coffee grinder from the café downstairs. But a monotone buzz beside me dropped all the clamour outside to a distant mumble. I reached for my phone, the screen glowing with a single notification.Her: Good morning.An unfamiliar contact. No name, just a string of emojis: a sunflower, ...

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“The Cougar” by S.M. Knight

Submitted to Contest #289

Disclaimer: This story involves actions that can be associated with pedophilia and online grooming. There are no violent or sexual scenes. However, the dialogue is intended to be uncomfortable to read as someone on the outside sees the events unfold. This story does not promote or glorify pedophilia. Nor attack those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community.--He didn’t look like much. He was quiet and meek despite his lengthy frame, and he didn’t pose much of a threat to anyone. He wore glasses that matched his cheap haircut. His clothes were as...

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“The Chat” by Terry Maris

Submitted to Contest #289

[Feb 8, 2025 – 8:15 PM]Olivia: Hey, is this Chris? I’m Olivia. I saw your profile on the app and thought I’d say hi. Chris: Hey Olivia, it’s Chris. It's nice to meet you via text! How are you doing?Olivia: Pretty good. I just wrapped up my shift at the café. I’m tired, but there’s something comforting about returning home after a long day. What about you? Chris: I just got back from a run. The air was cool and strangely still tonight—as if the whole world were holding its breath. It unsettled me a bit so I grabbed a coffee on the way back to...

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“I Was Your Match” by Reese Blaise

Submitted to Contest #289

The following conversation occurred between June 28th and August 2nd, between Client 27, herein known as ‘Morris,’ and Client 28, herein known as ‘Foster’. The following messages are the only documented contact between the two individuals, virtual or otherwise. Names have been changed and certain identifying details have been omitted. Morris06/28 7:35am Do you ever dream about me?06/31 5:17pm I’m sitting on the back porch. The screens keep the mosquitos away. Adam is poking a stick into an anthill by the fence. Charlotte is reading next...

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“Meet Me” by Jenny Smith

Submitted to Contest #289

From: Teacher4LifeTo: NewToThisHey NewToThis,I never know how to start a conversation on a dating platform like Meet.Me, but here we go.I got tired of swiping left and right in apps, judging people on their appearance. I thought I’d try this new app where I can get to know someone for who they are and their interests versus simply choosing a match on physical appearance.Your profile piqued my interest for several reasons. First, your love of football. I grew up in a family that loved sports. I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, so I cou...

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“Dead Wrong” by Sammantha Robinson

Submitted to Contest #289

4:30 PMKyle: Tonights the night. I got the ring4:36 PMLiam: BRO!!! That’s awesome!! Keep me updated.4:45 PMKyle: Am I supposed to be this nervous? How didyou feel before proposing to Maria?4:51 PMLiam: Oh yeah, I was a nervous wreck leading up to it. But then I relaxed in the moment. You know she lovesyou, she knows you love her. Try not to psych yourself out.4:58 PMKyle: Ive rehearsed it all in my head, just afraid I’ll forgetin the moment.5:03 PMLiam: Man, don’t even worry about that shit. Everything I rehearsed went out the fukk...

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“toe meets squirrel” by Mara Sherline

Submitted to Contest #289

Thursday 7:35pm Boy: Hey :) how's your night going?Girl: hi hehe not bad. chillin with my cats. doing some doodlesBoy: That's cool. I have a dog but I'm allergic to catsGirl: boooo how am i gonna get you over here then? ;)Boy: I could take allergy meds. Or you could come over hereGirl: a solution man, i see goodBoy: It's kinda my job xDGirl: oh yeah, real estate mgmt definitely translates here lol what do u do when you're feeling creative?Boy: I guess I do woodworking sometimesGirl: u gonna whittle me a spoonBoy: xD xD ...

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“Who's Who” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #289

The early morning chats had quickly become a ritual. There was comfort here. He smiled as he greeted his alter-ego. “Hi Sam,” he said into the empty room. “Hey Sam!” returned an eerily similar voice, “how you doing today?” “I’m good,” said Sam cheerily, “all the better for hearing your voice. “Glad to hear it,” said the disembodied voice, “all set for your day?” Sam paused and drew in a breath, “yeah, I reckon I am.” The chat carried on as Sam flitted here and there. He’d awoken at the first ring of his alarm and quickly got prepared for the...

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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

“Text Therapy” by K.A. Murray

“Reformat” by Orwell King

“The Date” by Lily Finch

“Messages” by Ghost Writer

“The wrong words” by Victoria West

“Second Unknown Number” by Alaina Hammond

“Working From Home” by Shawn Roberts

“A Life a Day keeps Love Away” by Bruce Ma

“The Cougar” by S.M. Knight

“The Chat” by Terry Maris

“I Was Your Match” by Reese Blaise

“Meet Me” by Jenny Smith

“Dead Wrong” by Sammantha Robinson

“toe meets squirrel” by Mara Sherline

“Who's Who” by Jed Cope

🌟 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: