Write a story about two characters who surprisingly end up spending a holiday or event together.

Posted in Short Story on Dec 27, 2024

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✍️ 53 stories

“BOXING DAY ON MARS” by HAAKON RAGNSKJOLD

Submitted to Contest #283

Two old enemies met in a cave on the planet Mars.The storm had raged for weeks, covering everything with a layer of fine, rust colored dust.Winds howled murderously, though the atmospheric pressure is less than one percent that of the Earth. The dust clouds covered the entire Martian surface. It was impossible to find one's way—yet the lone, red garbed figure made his way unerringly to the hidden cave.Above him, scarlet whirlwinds towered hundreds of feet. They stooped like curious giants. Ghastly voices shrieked and howled in the wind that ...

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“Enemies at First Sight” by Euan Brennan

Submitted to Contest #283

It was a moment in which David’s heart stopped. Not in a “Wow, this person is so pretty and perfect, my organ decided to nearly kill me.” It was closer to a “This person is the absolute worst and how the hell do I get rid of her before I throw up my heart.” Claire Wilson. Middle name: Annoying. Her hair always had volume to it. Any more and the people around her wouldn’t be able to hear. The brown also had blonde streaks, as though her goal was to look like a racing car. Funny, because she was never the fastest at running, jogging, walking, ...

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“Stay With Me” by Sammantha Robinson

Submitted to Contest #283

Snow fell outside the window of the busy mountain town cafe, adding another layer to the inches accumulated the previous day. The sidewalks outside the cafe were trodden by hurried feet, all rushing toward the gift shops lining the street. The sound of customers picking up and putting their coffee cups onto their ceramic saucers filled the air, and the delicious smells of holiday drinks would have put anyone in a cozy holiday mood. Benjamin sat alone in the corner, focused on his computer screen, which had windows open related to his ...

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“My Christmas Angel” by Dorothy Zelenik

Submitted to Contest #283

It was Christmas Eve 1967. I was working for a mortgage company. My first real job out of high school. I had just cashed my final paycheck for the year including Christmas bonus. There was still time for some last-minute shopping, so I headed over to John Wanamaker's department store on my lunch break. I got distracted while choosing the perfect tree ornaments for the office tree and discovered my purse was gone. As nausea set in, I searched the counters in vain and finally reported my missing handbag. I headed back to work sick with worry. ...

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“When a Tree Falls in the Woods” by Robin Zimmer

Submitted to Contest #283

When A Tree Falls In The Woods Once upon a time that no one can agree upon, there was a toy maker who made toys from debris he found. One day he happened to stumble across the remains of a downed tree. He found a few decent sized pieces and returned home, all the while keeping an eye out for other treasures. One of these pieces of wood has a story you probably know all too well. The toy that wants to be a boy. The trouble is, they got it WRONG. You can rationalize it all you like, but this is 1% closer to what real...

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“Stranger for a day” by Mark Madama

Submitted to Contest #283

This story contains profanity and minor sexual content. 1. Write a story about two characters who surprisingly end up spending a holiday or event together.Strangers No MoreThere was little I could do to avoid the big event of the next day, my birthday. I’m suddenly realizing that I have less years to live than I have already lived, and I may be destined to live those days alone. I needed something or someone to take my mind off this day. I didn’t want to leave my home, because I’ve already changed into my after-work worn-out sweats, but...

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“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Carrie R

Submitted to Contest #283

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Frank got a bit wild at the office holiday party. Of course the liquor was an easy blame, but it was more than that. He felt the stirrings of it as soon as he was led in an orderly fashion to his name card at the table. The festively decorated table was c...

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“Yes, Prime Minister” by W B

Submitted to Contest #283

“So, I assume Christmas is cancelled?” “Afraid so mate.” “I’ll text Rachel, the kids might as well open the presents without me.” Liam sighed. Craig had been his deputy for two years and already the cracks were beginning to show. Crow’s feet and grey hairs had come early to the young man opposite him and the guilty look in his eye suggested another early morning row with his wife. Liam recognised the look. He’d seen it in the mirror almost every week during his first year working in No. 10 Downing Street. Of course, Liam was now divorced. “T...

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“'Tis the Season of Love” by R S

Submitted to Contest #283

I check my watch; 6:32pm it reads. It’s been thirty minutes and Jessie Wilkins hasn’t shown up. On a typical Christmas eve sundown, I’d have been in my grandmother's antique dining room with the eye-aching floral tapestry wallpaper. I’d be seated at the ornate table at the very center of the dining room with my mother, father, grand old Tim, aunt Beatrice, uncle John and aunt Joan, and of course, we can’t forget the cousins either- the Siamese twins (Hanna and Hector), Jasper, Laura-Jean, and of course me, Mason. By now we’d all be...

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“My Psychedelic Dream” by Rudy Greene

Submitted to Contest #283

I have loved Sandy since we were teenagers. We hung around the same crowds. She always was involved with one of us but never me. I was the plus one, her buddy and sometimes confidant. I heard about all her crushes and breakups but never had the nerve to tell her that I had feelings for her. She liked me but never showed any sign of romantic interest. We went to the same high school and same college and stayed in touch. I even took her to concerts and movies as a ‘buddy’ when I didn’t have a date. Still, there was no spark, no hint of interes...

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“The Waterfall” by Bon Bennett

Submitted to Contest #283

The last six months have been hell, no, worse. In hell the people suffering deserve to be there. They earned that fate. These six months have been endless death, hunger, suffering, and torture for those fighting in the name of their Lords. Nothing is deadlier to the men who work this soil than a feud between the men who own it. Yet here, today, we have peace. Three days of peace to be precise. The lords may spew bravado, greed pumping through the veins with every beat of their heart, but even they do not dare to disrespect the Gods. Esp...

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“The Sleigh of the Sea” by Andy Abbott

Submitted to Contest #283

Content Warning: Contains some sexually suggestive themes and language.The warmth of the fireplace she sat next to in the atrium and the mocha hot chocolate in her hand was almost enough to curl her pursed lips that had not cracked a smile since she sat foot on the festive cruise ship about an hour earlier. Embarkation was about to take place and all the other passengers were out on the deck bidding farewell to the shoreline already several drinks in, determined to make the most of their beverage packages. Not Lucy, she was sitting alone ret...

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“The End in Mind” by Lindsay Marshall

Submitted to Contest #283

It was Christmas Eve and we headed out to our yearly tradition. The one everyone dreaded, the one that made everyone cringe, the one that I hated. The one that made Mom all contemplative and weepy. Her favorite Christmas moment, my worst moment, and my dad…he was quiet about the whole experience, but went along begrudgingly. We were dressed in our green and red sweaters, wearing our jingling Santa hats. I held a tray of Christmas cookies that Mom had baked, and even they seemed to glow with her Christmas cheer. ...

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“Double Booked” by L. M. Grimes

Submitted to Contest #283

“I hate snow.” AnnaSophia mumbled to herself. She watched it fall from her spot, curled up on the seat of the bay window. The bay window overlooked the front yard that belonged to the little cottage she rented every year for the holidays. This was supposed to be her home away from home. Her little retreat. Her way of getting away from the overwhelming hustle and bustle of the city. That, and the constant calls from her editor asking about her next novel. To which she always replied, “I’m typing as we speak.” She wasn’t. &nb...

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“Of Christmas Past” by M. Seshan

Submitted to Contest #283

Sensitive themes: grief, loss. Kieran almost didn’t notice the new Christmas lights beneath the pallor of snow, but they twinkled all the same from where they adorned the bookshop sign. The previous shift manager must have strung them up. The thought slightly irritated him. Kieran was no Scrooge, but there certainly was something as too much holiday spirit, too much insistence that this be the most wonderful time of the year. Decorating the soggy, shivering streets as if it could distract from the cold. Searching for joy in a joyless season....

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Write a story about two characters who surprisingly end up spending a holiday or event together.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 53 stories

“BOXING DAY ON MARS” by HAAKON RAGNSKJOLD

“Enemies at First Sight” by Euan Brennan

“Stay With Me” by Sammantha Robinson

“My Christmas Angel” by Dorothy Zelenik

“When a Tree Falls in the Woods” by Robin Zimmer

“Stranger for a day” by Mark Madama

“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Carrie R

“Yes, Prime Minister” by W B

“'Tis the Season of Love” by R S

“My Psychedelic Dream” by Rudy Greene

“The Waterfall” by Bon Bennett

“The Sleigh of the Sea” by Andy Abbott

“The End in Mind” by Lindsay Marshall

“Double Booked” by L. M. Grimes

“Of Christmas Past” by M. Seshan

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story that ends with a huge twist.

Write a story about someone’s first Christmas after a major life change.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — except your character can’t shake the feeling that something’s off.

Write a story with the line “I wasn’t expecting that.”

Contest #283

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

293

Contest entries

123

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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