Write a story about two characters who like each other but don’t get a happily-ever-after.

Posted in Romance on Sep 22, 2023

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✍️ 91 stories

“It's your choice. ” by Madison Busi

Submitted to Contest #217

You are six when it whispers the first time. “I see you. I see you reading alone. Would you like me to sit with you?” It asks. “What is your name, are you my friend?” You say. “I am it. Don’t you know me?” “No?” “Your mother knew me? Your father too?” “They never told me about you?” “That’s good,” it says. “I will be your friend… forever.” It stayed with you that night, but the next day it had left. It didn’t come back that afternoon, It didn’t come back that week. The next time you felt alone, it came as though to a sire...

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“Where We End” by Madeleine Hall

Submitted to Contest #217

The sand around their feet whispered, speaking of secrets they could not understand, the grains caught up by the breeze that swept over the dunes. It was a soft sound. Gentle. Ansa gazed out at the endless expanse of glowing orange, fiery in the light of the setting sun. “We will never be here again,” Ansa said, her voice catching in her throat. “Together.” At her side Inara remained silent, gazing out at everything and nothing. Ansa turned abruptly to face her, refusing to so much as blink as she took in Inara’face. “Will you remember...

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“I’m Bryan Adams” by Damien Exton

Submitted to Contest #217

*Hello. Damien here. My Story below contains some dialogue and imagery that some people may find disturbing or upsetting. I wouldn’t - as a reader. But that’s just me… But I understand if anybody does. Thank you******I’m Bryan Adams.I'm gonna run to you.I know that when you look at meThere’s so much that you just don’t see.But wait. Is that my fault? That you don’t see me? Is it my fault that you don’t understand me? Or is that the role I’ve unwittingly cast myself in? Made myself a martyr. Am I secretly wanting to be a slave to your tempera...

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“When she handed me her towel” by Roser AM

Submitted to Contest #217

When I first saw her, I didn’t fancy her. I don’t think I’ve got a type, but looking at my dating history, blue or green eyes, light hair colour, basically the opposite of me. I don’t think I fancied her either the second time I saw her, but, on the one hand, when I’m playing basketball, my head is on the game, and on the other hand, I do tend to get confused sometimes, and I’m not sure whether I like someone as a friend, or whether it’s something more. Truth is, I probably did start fancying her that second time. I did had to wonder, rig...

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“Clouds and sandwiches ” by Aaron Tippit

Submitted to Contest #217

"That one looks like a dragon." Rupert pointed to the lazily drifting cloud. "I don't see a dragon," Steven responded. "I see a rabbit right there." His finger intersected Rupert's. "What are you talking about? That is clearly a dragon." Rupert scooted over closer to his friend and started tracing the shape. "See, there is the body, the open mouth, and it’s even breathing fire." Steven squinted, "OK, I guess I can see that." He started tracing the same shape at a different angle. "See? Here's the body and the ears, and he's eating a littl...

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“Walking into the sunset ” by Skye Calista

Submitted to Contest #217

Once upon a time, in a small coastal town called Coffee Bay, there were two individuals named Shaylin and Verna . They were both brilliant and charming, and they shared a deep connection that seemed destined for a happily ever after. However, fate had other plans in store for them. Shaylin was a talented artist, known for his stunning landscapes that seemed to come to life on the canvas. He had a gentle soul, and his eyes reflected the depth of his emotions. Verna , on the other hand, was a dedicated journalist, always seeking the truth an...

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“The Masquerade” by Shana King

Submitted to Contest #217

The soft hum of the dressing room was a symphony of preparation and transformation. Mirrors lined the walls, each framed with glowing bulbs that cast a flattering light on the faces and forms reflected. Sarah, known to the club's patrons as Brittany, adjusted her outfit in one of these mirrors. Around her, other dancers varied in their states of readiness. Some were basking in the glow of the vanity lights, their skin bare and radiant, while others were half-dressed, their hands gliding over their skin as they applied lotion, filling the air...

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“Flickering Desire” by Michael Hartley

Submitted to Contest #217

Cuthbert knelt by her bed and looped the bandage three times. She winced as it tightened around her swollen ankle. “Sorry,” he mumbled, not meeting her eye. “No, it’s fine. I’m glad one of us knows what we’re doing.” He nodded, still not looking up as he focussed on his task. Outside the tent, the cicadas fizzed their nightly chorus and off in the distance, a lion roared. She wondered what that roar meant. Had they made a kill? Would they still be looking for one? She shivered, and not just because of the cold night air from the savann...

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“Taboo Soup” by Frank Mahindaratne

Submitted to Contest #217

The room is dark, and I am in heaven. I am lying on my belly on a cozy leather couch, Terry’s knees folded on either side of me as she sits on my back, massaging hot oil into my flesh. I lied to her today. I told her I was terribly ill so that she would finally see me face-to-face. Terry is such a compassionate woman, and I knew that she couldn’t say no to that. There was, however, one condition: I had to come to her, on her terms—though the terms did include a homemade broccol...

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“Bound to Duty” by Yeisha Lee

Submitted to Contest #217

In the realm where magic flowed like a living current and mythical creatures roamed freely, there were two beings whose connection defied the norms of fantasy romance. Their names were Lyria and Aelarion, and they shared something far more profound than the conventional tales of Chosen One protagonists or destined heroes with magical destinies. Lyria was a gifted mage, known for her mastery over the elements and her ability to commune with the ancient spirits of the forest. Her eyes sparkled with the wisdom of centuries, and her silver hai...

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“You don't want to find a rude wrinkle.” by Jazmín Lozada Ángel

Submitted to Contest #217

He thinks of me with sad things. That's why he doesn't even look at the homeless people in the neighborhood or the abandoned dogs anymore, and when he goes to the movies he leaves a little before the melancholic moment begins. But what he finds most difficult is to stop listening to Pornography by The Cure. One afternoon, when we started our courtship, I asked him why he liked that record so much and he answered: "It has a wonderful power", he looked at my face without any astonishment, I think he expected me to ask a question. And he count...

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“No Fairy Tale” by Michael Novak

Submitted to Contest #217

I could hear the rain coming down hard outside. It sounded like a giant was drumming his fingers on the roof. My office was dark. I had the Venetian blinds shut, the lights off. I sat at my desk alone, about a third of the way through a bottle of dangerously cheap scotch. I couldn’t afford anything better, and right now I felt like I didn’t deserve it even if I could. My head felt heavy, and not just from the booze. My chest felt tight, as if someone had my heart in a chokehold. I felt myself nodding off for a minute, but forced myself to ...

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“moon dust” by Winter Moon

Submitted to Contest #217

As much as it’s horrifying, watching the silver Moon fall apart is a beautiful sight. The way its shine slowly dies, and the surface cracks into pieces, falling from each other. A girl stands on top of the stairs, her armor lays behind her as she sheds it running up to the peak. Chest falls heavily, she tries to catch her breath, too enticed by the scene in front of her. Palm tingles with magic, begging to be let loose. She could-… no. She must try. One last glance at her palm, an intricate purple tattoo looks back at her, the lines pr...

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“Under the Red Clock” by Mark Leasure

Submitted to Contest #217

Andrew was desperately in love with Mateo, and it had only been nineteen days since they had first met in the quaint but bustling little deli that had just opened. Only nineteen days but it somehow felt like years. He rapped his fingertips across the top of the two person table, and stared up at the large red clock perched on the wall above it, the one they had eaten at together for eighteen previous days. Mateo was late and he was getting impatient and a little nervous. It was a little more than that though, it was desperation. Desperation ...

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“Redemption Paradise” by Marc Rothstein

Submitted to Contest #217

I leaned over the ferry's railing, captivated by the deep turquoise waters of Lake Huron, as a foghorn's blast signaled our departure from the Tobermory terminal. This was the final leg of my escape from chaotic Chicago. I'd just spent the last ten hours driving the winding roads, trying to unwind how I'd messed up my life. A complete break from my toxic environment made sense. Maybe the island's tranquility would be a balm for my soul and finally silence those fanged voices of self-talk. The last crossing to Manitoulin Island was nearly emp...

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Write a story about two characters who like each other but don’t get a happily-ever-after.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 91 stories

“It's your choice. ” by Madison Busi

“Where We End” by Madeleine Hall

“I’m Bryan Adams” by Damien Exton

“When she handed me her towel” by Roser AM

“Clouds and sandwiches ” by Aaron Tippit

“Walking into the sunset ” by Skye Calista

“The Masquerade” by Shana King

“Flickering Desire” by Michael Hartley

“Taboo Soup” by Frank Mahindaratne

“Bound to Duty” by Yeisha Lee

“You don't want to find a rude wrinkle.” by Jazmín Lozada Ángel

“No Fairy Tale” by Michael Novak

“moon dust” by Winter Moon

“Under the Red Clock” by Mark Leasure

“Redemption Paradise” by Marc Rothstein

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story in a creepy mansion — except nothing horrifying takes place in it.

Write about a person who's been called to mentor someone in a special skill, but doesn't really want to.

Write about a sleuth who’s a little too keen, but not because they have a traumatic past they won’t talk about.

Write a story about a warrior who doesn’t want to kill the dragon.

Contest #217

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

284

Contest entries

130

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: