Write a story — romantic or not — about two characters who can’t find the right timing.

Posted in Romance on Jul 8, 2022

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✍️ 32 stories

“See you soon” by T M

Submitted to Contest #154

"That was great, let's meet again soon." "Sure, I'll be happy to!" They both pushed the strollers, each going her own way. They both knew it won't be soon but felt the dire need to keep the illusion about it alive. Two young mothers, each with her baby, hurrying to get home, to the endless piles of clothes to wash, meals to prepare and rooms to clean. Alone at home all day, with the fears of raising their newborn. The fear which was there despite reading all those modern books with all answers, despite the advice in the social networ...

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“The Indelible Life” by Andi Hyland

Submitted to Contest #154

Rudyard Kipling once said “the present is big with the future”. I suppose that also means that the past is big with the present. I’ve had a lot of time to think about the past, and I know this to be true. As it turns out. That’s not to say that I can’t imagine our future. I can see us ten years from now, looking back on our incredible life together. Retired not expired. I’ll be pushing sixty, and you’ll be as timeless as always. Knowing you, we’ll be looking forward...

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“Wrong Number” by Jessi Lopez

Submitted to Contest #154

I'm just an ordinary High School kid, I have a group of friends since I've known since I could walk, I'm on the school's basketball team, and I 100% have amazing grades. Except there's one tiny little secret I've kept from everyone since the start, I'm gay. Nobody in my family or school knows, I've just been afraid of coming out since I realized, I was afraid i would be rejected by society. I heard Mr. Hayward, my former neighbor started to be more open about his sexual orientation, right after he posted a rainbow flag in his front yard. It ...

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“The Day Time Cracked and Love was Wasted” by Ann Walker

Submitted to Contest #154

This story contains mild offensive language There comes a time in life, after the wonder and mystery of adolescence has receded into only the deepest corners of our memories, when the truth of one’s intention calls to action a dire decision. Greek mythology teaches us about the idea of twin flames; when the Great Spirit, or God, took a soul and split it in half. The twins are drawn to one another, they feel familiar and in tune with the very beat of the other’s heart. A fantasy of a thought unless of course, you have had a chance to love y...

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“Italian at Seven” by Isaac Jeon

Submitted to Contest #154

On February 15th of 1981 at Enoylno, Vertucky, Joey lies on his bed wondering if he’ll ever have a girlfriend, considering how Valentine’s Day had just passed. However, he certainly has this new desire that he won’t be the odd one out and decides that this year he’ll have a girlfriend like all his friends. On the same day, he sets on his journey to find a girlfriend. Joey had the desire of wanting a girlfriend, so he decided to approach the prettiest girl at school during recess. The prettiest girl's name was Jennifer, who was both very pre...

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“Hold My Hand, Lick My Ear” by Jarrel Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #154

He charges $200 an hour. I give him the cash upfront. “What’s your pleasure?” he asks in his Spanish accent. I expect him to present himself in a more sensual manner, to really try for my money, but no. He was as overused as a felt doll. I realize at this moment that cats of his profession didn’t need to “try.” He is the prettiest hunk of feline I’d ever met, and he just needs to not say no. I tell him I wanted to cuddle. He looks at me as if I’d just asked him to pluck out his whiskers. But he doesn’t say no. Thirty minutes in, ...

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“Timing of the Universe.” by Laleh R

Submitted to Contest #154

All my life, I have been told to never doubt the universe's timing. Everything will come together for you, just when you need it to. To truly believe in your intentions and the reason why you want something to work out, and it will. Pure and intentional faith and belief will more - or - less guarantee the outcome you want. And so, I have continued on my path, exploring the depths of the universe, and learning the ebbs and flows of this powerful entity. I considered myself lucky; getting into the Ivy League university of my dreams, the D...

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“Two's Company” by Gigi Gibson

Submitted to Contest #154

Emma put on her favorite red lipstick and smoothed out the wisps of hair that fell from the French Roll at the back of her head. "Something's just not quite right," she said to herself. "What's not right?" asked Mariss, holding a gift behind her back as she entered the guest room where her sister was staying for the week. "I don't know," said Emma. "It seems like I've done everything that I should have – my make-up is on, my hair is done, I bought this new dress and these shoes, and I put on my sparkly necklace and earrings.&n...

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“A Near Miss” by Tes Wolffe

Submitted to Contest #154

“Tess?” comes a familiar voice from behind me. I turn slowly and see the face I’ve both been dreading and hoping to see for years. “James!” I gush and go in for a hug. I feel his arms close around me and it brings me a sense of joy I haven’t felt in a while. “How are you?” “Yeah, I’m good, I’m good. How are you? How long has it been?!” “4 years,” I answer, just a little too quickly. “What are you doing right now? We should grab coffee,” he states emphatically, not allowing me to say no. As if I would. I’ve b...

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“Pickles and Ice Cream” by Brad Heald

Submitted to Contest #154

Content Warning: This story has brief sexual content and two cuss words.Pickles and Ice Cream The engine purrs evenly as it propels the Mercedes C-220 through Connecticut meadows and stands of Birch and Maple. The headlamps spread light over the wet pavement and on curves captures a damp scenery and snowflakes mixed with the rain. Outside it is ice cold. Jacob admires Gin, his wife, sunk down and asleep in the passenger seat. A wholly erotic vision crawls into his head showing them at home joined together in their warm bed.&nbsp...

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“The Last Time” by Meg White

Submitted to Contest #154

I hold my hands of ice in a cross over my right knee, my ankles wrapped around each other under the café table. The pink frou-frou of my dress clutching to the back of my calves and tangling around my ankles and long socks, the white delicacies adorning my underskirt intwined with the full-bodied fabric, and a simple hat atop my head with a single pale-yellow feather sticking out the top. My coiffed hair coiled beneath perfectly and my face not revealing a single stitch of emotion, buried so deep past my tight skin and open lips. A real-life...

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“And then, but not just yet...” by Joe O'Callaghan

Submitted to Contest #154

“So does this mean I’m your boyfriend now?? “What?” Her eyes do a quick search for something in his, “Of course not, no, I could never break up with Brett.” “But we just made out for, like, an hour.” “Ah, that was nothing. That was just us being friendly. We tried to study, the sun and the warm breeze and the people of the park made us do it. You’re ok with that, right?” “Yeah, sure, I’m ok with that.” “But I would like it if you’d write me while I’m gone.” “Where are you going?” “My family goes to Hawaii during the summer, remem...

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“Garden on the Ceiling ” by Castle Marie

Submitted to Contest #154

[CW: Minor use of foul language] I suppose I don’t really remember when I started being the way that I am. Or when I started being in general. Though I have many theories. Thoughts. Ideas…That I was brought here. By another being. Entity! Energy? Oh, energy. I miss having that. Now all I have are memories of energy. Is your skin ever itchy? But, it’s not your skin. It’s more, underneath. Much deeper than your skin. Beyond your flesh. Fresh avocados! That’s what I neede...

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“Bad Timing” by Heather Rocco

Submitted to Contest #154

“Sonofa…” Lauren growled for the third time in two minutes yanking her delicately heeled foot out from under her assigned partner’s massive loafers. “Sorry…sorry…” Brian mumbled as his Irish skin blushed another deep shade of “I’m-so-embarrassed” fuschia. He glared at his size 12 feet and scolded them again. “Come on, guys, get it together,” and offered Lauren an impish grin as an act of contrition. But she wasn’t having it. Mark Anthony’s “Dimelo” pulsed through the studio’s sound system and guided all the other ballroom d...

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“The Schedule ” by Emily Etheridge

Submitted to Contest #154

The city stunk of garbage that’s been baked on a cement skillet and left out for the flies and anything else hungry, and desperate enough to deal with it. The cars where loud and endlessly honking as they swerved in and out of each other in a never-ending race against time that they’ve already lost. But that’s big city life. A continuous race towards something, if for those who are lucky enough for the opportunity, or a climb to survive for the rest of the unlucky majority. &n...

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Write a story — romantic or not — about two characters who can’t find the right timing.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 32 stories

“See you soon” by T M

“The Indelible Life” by Andi Hyland

“Wrong Number” by Jessi Lopez

“The Day Time Cracked and Love was Wasted” by Ann Walker

“Italian at Seven” by Isaac Jeon

“Hold My Hand, Lick My Ear” by Jarrel Jefferson

“Timing of the Universe.” by Laleh R

“Two's Company” by Gigi Gibson

“A Near Miss” by Tes Wolffe

“Pickles and Ice Cream” by Brad Heald

“The Last Time” by Meg White

“And then, but not just yet...” by Joe O'Callaghan

“Garden on the Ceiling ” by Castle Marie

“Bad Timing” by Heather Rocco

“The Schedule ” by Emily Etheridge

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with someone saying, “We’re running out of time.”

Write a story about someone who feels increasingly irrelevant.

Write a story about an object that has been around for centuries or passed down generations.

Write a story featuring an element of time-travel or anachronism.

Contest #154

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

280

Contest entries

112

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: