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

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?

✍️ 91 stories

“My love, is all mine” by Liezellia Brookes

Submitted to Contest #217

"Come to give me that "greeting" you promised?" A deep husk voice threatens into her shell of Irene's ear. Irene lets out a gasp upon feeling the coolness of a sharp metal blade being pressed against her throat. It was deep enough to nick her skin ever so slightly while her heart raced in her chest. The gun she held tightly in her hands was being firmly placed at the underbelly of someone her heart ached for a long time. His blue eyes narrowing down at her while her own green ones never leave his gaze."You know how this ends... For the both ...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Nickel Wishes” by Celia Farr-Smith

Submitted to Contest #217

Sylvie dug through her coin purse for a penny, but all she could come up with was a nickel. Sylvie always liked the idea of tossing pennies into the fountain that was in front of her favorite bayside restaurant. The fountain was one of those creations that people would comment on as they made their way in and out of the restaurant. It was constructed of massive vertical columns of basalt buried at varying heights with low flames flickering from behind each column and water pulsing out of the tops of the columns. It made some sort of ar...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Unromanticizing Rain” by Rohit Gadewal

Submitted to Contest #217

"You hate the rain?" "Yeah.." "How can anyone hate the rain?" She giggled at my preposterous suggestion, mocking me in her adorable ways. "Well, I do. I've my reasons, pretty stupid ones. But so am I, so I'll let it slide." Her adorable laugh echoed as she chuckled at my stupidity. She knows how dumb I am and how idiotic I can be. "Won't you share them?" she continued, eager to know what ridiculous reason I could have. "You already know all of them." I tried to end the topic. "Come on, talk. You know you want to babble for an h...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Project Un: Margaret” by Samuel Bowen

Submitted to Contest #217

“To achieve the greatness we pursue, we must have unwavering devotion to the most vile of tasks. Else, we will not survive the horrors that await us.” - Captain’s log, R. Gunson, Paradigm Prime [Subject: Dr. J. Manson] [Bio: Doctor of genetic sciences, clearance level 5] [Vital Status: Sustainable] [Location: Living Quarters 155] [Archive LT: Live] [Designation: Protocol 2108_Survailence for Review] James held his wife’s hand as he knelt beside her chair. Her dull eyes wide in horror. Her body trembled, yet her fragile muscles refused t...

0 comments 0

Read story

“A Twisted Tale” by Amy Walliker

Submitted to Contest #217

Abigail knew she was lucky that she had lived on Bramble Farm for the entirety of her short life. She was grateful for the guttural cry from the cockerel that opened her eyes each morning. She was grateful for the animals that kept her company; sheep scattered along the horizon like fallen clouds. She was grateful, for she was always told to be so by her late mother, as she, unlike others, inhaled fresh air each day whilst others were shrouded by smoke in cramped confined communities.Despite her gratitude, she still wished for things be...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Maturity” by John Losasso

Submitted to Contest #217

Maturity J. LoSasso Jared raised his wrist above his head and checked the illuminated dial. Aside from three lavender scented candles and the sliver of streetlight slicing through the narrow front windows there was no other light in the studio. “You in a hurry tonight, Jared?” Randi’s voice emerged from the darkness. She rolled on to her side and ran her finger down the center of his chest. “Not at all, Babe. Did I seem rushed to you?” He placed his hand on her naked hip and let it slide along the topography of her body. He lo...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Love Lost” by Howard Seeley

Submitted to Contest #217

Though fifty years have passed since I’ve said good-bye to Melisa, not a single day passes when I think of her. It was my first day in fifth grade, when I first laid eyes on her. It wasn’t her looks at drew me to her, but her last name: Howells. It so happened that Melisa’s older sister, Becky, was my sister’s best friend, and when I heard her name called out when Mrs. Funk, the fifth-grade teacher had roll call, I turned to see the face of that familiar name. The moment I laid my eyes on her, I was enraptured. Her soft brown eyes and light ...

4 comments 4

Read story

“A Story Never Started” by Rachelle Johanson

Submitted to Contest #217

Chapter 1 Madelynn found herself watching James for the third time that day. Madelynn doubted that James had even noticed her though, he was the most popular boy in school, and she was just another one of those girls who were trying to get his attention. Madelynn felt half bad about having feelings for James. She had always said that only the popular girls - the ones everyone pretends to like, but actually hates them - would like him. She said that it was just another stereotypical thing for those girls to do. They likely didn’t even l...

1 comment 1

Read story

“UNREQUITED LOVE” by Charles Corkery

Submitted to Contest #217

UNREQUITED LOVE I can recall the first time we met as if it was yesterday. It was at the Drummond’s on the occasion of their daughter’s birthday; Edwina, the younger, if possible, even more obnoxious of the two Drummond girls. What I can’t remember is how old I was exactly. Thirteen? Fourteen?My mother, already, though we did not know it, evincing early signs of the dementia that would gradually reveal itself in all its horror, convinced herself that, as the Drummond family hailed from Scotland, I should do homage by attending the party dres...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Albie” by Ian Grogan

Submitted to Contest #217

They lovingly sauntered down the midway, soaking in the atmosphere. And they did so, locked hand-in-hand, as they had done so many times before. The lights and sounds from the carnival games glowed in Albert’s eyes which made Elaine’s heart flutter as she gazed into them. He was wearing his favorite navy blue sportscoat with brown elbow patches and she was wearing her beloved pink dress that swayed with every step. The smell of popcorn lingered in the air, reminding Elaine of their first outing, the movie theater, the first time they could b...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Forever Not” by Charles Karalee Ratliff

Submitted to Contest #217

Forever Not The morning hue was magnificent with voracious and vibrant colors. A light and misty fog grazed over the field of sunflowers. A late resting owl swooped down into the field to catch his breakfast. Songbirds were singing a delightful melody of peace and joy. The morning was fresh and inviting. However, Anton was not happy. He could not find any pleasure from the beauty that was right before him. Always before, when he came to this place, his spirit was refreshed and rejuvenated, but not today. He had hoped that by coming to this...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Oak Tree” by Payton Payton

Submitted to Contest #217

A large oak tree stood in the middle of a large, ever growing field. Branches were long and thick as if they could shade out the whole valley. Leaves reflected the light like mirrors in the broad daylight. Small wildflowers were spread randomly around the valley. Its roots came up out of the ground, and fell down deep under the soft soil. It was just a normal oak tree, but it was also so much more. A place to escape, relax, explore, find inspiration, but most importantly to find love. Deep connections under the warmth and comfort...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Say The Wrong Things The Right Way” by Tímea Kobza

Submitted to Contest #217

The dance floor rumbled under the energetic heels and leather shoes. Music guided the movements of the youths, lively rhythm pushing them closer and closer to each other. Lonel did not share the entranced smiles on his schoolmates’ faces. From beside the snack table, he watched the pleated swing skirts spin high, curling locks bobbing on heaving chests. Punch in his hands, he was wondering what he was doing in the dazzlingly decorated gym hall, among a mass of impetuous students he didn’t even try to like. They were dancing the...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Bad Timing” by Ayesha Sayeed

Submitted to Contest #217

Chicago. Wicker Park. A.N. Pritzker Elementary. Room 107. She was extremely confident, as much as a 7 year old could be, excited to start second grade, excited to be at a new school. She was a ball of energy, messy brown curls, a bright red backpack, and a voice that made it seem like she had swallowed a mic. "And what's your name?". "My name is Ayesha Adil Sayeed and I am 7 years old!" She reached out her hand to shake the teachers. "Wow! What a firm handshake!" Ayesha giggled and sprinted away fore she had seen a girl who seemed to have th...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Witch of Thorns” by Alexey Dirigo

Submitted to Contest #217

“The slave has a death wish,” one of the boys mocked. “He’s already tired of playing knight,” another chimed in, his words dripping with disdain. Young Elian paid no heed to their cruel words. Let it be a death wish, he thought. No matter how gruesome his death might be, his feet will remain planted on the path he had chosen. To tread this path, he needed not just strength, but unparalleled strength. His raison d'être was clear—to slay the Witch of Thorns. The very witch who had made Aldoria fell into ruins. Aldoria, once a mighty...

0 comments 0

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

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

Horror – 64 stories

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

Adventure – 27 stories

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

Mystery – 10 stories

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

Fantasy – 92 stories

Contest #217

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Tropes

$250

Prize money

284

Contest entries

130

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 29, 2023 EST

Won by Paul Crehan 🏆

Title: Who Are We to Judge the Music of an Octopus?

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

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

Submissions are closed

✍️ 91 stories

“My love, is all mine” by Liezellia Brookes

“Nickel Wishes” by Celia Farr-Smith

“Unromanticizing Rain” by Rohit Gadewal

“Project Un: Margaret” by Samuel Bowen

“A Twisted Tale” by Amy Walliker

“Maturity” by John Losasso

“Love Lost” by Howard Seeley

“A Story Never Started” by Rachelle Johanson

“UNREQUITED LOVE” by Charles Corkery

“Albie” by Ian Grogan

“Forever Not” by Charles Karalee Ratliff

“The Oak Tree” by Payton Payton

“Say The Wrong Things The Right Way” by Tímea Kobza

“Bad Timing” by Ayesha Sayeed

“The Witch of Thorns” by Alexey Dirigo

🌟 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: