Write a story where an important conversation takes place during a dance.

Posted in Short Story on Jun 7, 2024

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?

✍️ 78 stories

“En Passant at the Ball” by Cassandra Porter

Submitted to Contest #254

Miss Georgina Grace Gage stepped into the ball room beside her brother William, the eighth Viscount Hood and took a moment to breath in the start of the Season. Parliament had opened and the whole of the ton seemed to be pressed into this one stately home. This was promising to already be a delightful and entertaining event. She and her brother made their way into the corner she most preferred as she looked at the new crop of wallflowers who were arranged along the edges of the room. "Oh dear," she thought out loud. "More than usual I see." ...

1 comment 1

Read story

“A Night in the Fairytale” by Gabrielle Bond

Submitted to Contest #254

Tiffany picked at her corsage as she waited in the backseat of the idling car. Her sister's encouraging smile flashed across her face, only making her queasier. The doubt she'd managed to avoid so far was now creeping in like a spider crawling up the drain, just waiting for her usual confidence to wash it away."I'm so proud of you," her sister had said. "You don't need a date. You're stronger than most of the girls you'll be sharing the dance floor with tonight."At the time, these words and her sister's homemade corsage had filled her with l...

2 comments 2

Read story

“The Business Proposal” by Melanie B. Gaston

Submitted to Contest #254

Finding a husband was such a dull task. Elizabeth was bored of the ton and their boring social life. Dance, eat, mingle, repeat. Her only job was finding a husband. Compared to women of lower classes, she was privileged to never lift a finger for physical work. Her hands were not calloused, and her skin was soft. But she did not feel free. She did not have a voice. She depended on the men in her life to make the life-changing decisions for her. Hence, why the task of finding a husband was dull, she was shown prospects...

4 comments 4

Read story

“A Tempting Offer” by Natalie Portera-Sickler

Submitted to Contest #254

They locked eyes from across the room, making her heart skip a beat. Even though it was a masquerade ball, Percy immediately recognized his smoky eyes, the heat of his gaze searing into her core and warming her skin in a fierce blush. The pounding of her heart quickened as he stalked toward her, navigating the crowd with ease as a panther prowling through the jungle to approach the prey locked within its sight.Percy fanned herself frantically, willing herself to stay calm while simultaneously wondering how no one else reacted to the sight of...

5 comments 5

Read story

“Once upon a grieving dance ” by Inalem Green

Submitted to Contest #254

Chndeliers hanging high, giving you a gentle light. You look like an angel with the starry cloak of the night. Entering the ballroom with all the eyes on you, always getting the attention, like you're something brand new. And everyone is jealous, you're the main conversation, and I've never felt more afraid of them making the connection. I'm trying not to give myself away, trying not to steal a glance. I'm holding onto his arm, like I'm in his magnetic trance. But you come close to us, we're everlasting group of friends, but you're acting li...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Tiptoeing” by Bob Faszczewski

Submitted to Contest #254

For months the neighbor gossip mills operated at full tilt about the affair, or lack therof, between the ruggedly handsome Jason Hughes and the beautiful and sexy Karen Tollmyer. Of course, the pair kept throwing logs on the rumor fire when, for four weeks running, the deep, throaty sound of the young stud’s eight-cylinder Mustang pierced the peaceful ‘round midnight air of usually quiet Harpersville. ...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Cheers to my Chagrin” by Connie Elstun

Submitted to Contest #254

Much to my chagrin, The letter I hold in my hand is one more part of the strange occurrences here in my township of Niagra Crossing. The town sits on the shore where the Niagra meets the glory of our grandest Lake, hence its name. The mysterious letter arrived at midnight two weeks ago, and all the village milk goats were dead then. The first casualties were two tiny billys found torn to shreds. Then, more and more were found ravaged until all our goats were gone. And then a host of small farm animals just disappeared, leading to what w...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Meeting at the Silver Lining” by Violet Frost

Submitted to Contest #254

Part 1The morning sun peaked just above the Manhattan skyline, casting a warm glow through the domed skylight of the Silver Lining Ballroom. Arabella Kensington tucked loose strands of her mahogany bobbed hair into her black cloche hat as she strolled alongside her father through the grand hall. Her strides were confident and graceful, the rhythm of her T-strap heels echoing with each step. Edward, eager to see his daughter carve her mark into the high society of New York, surveyed the ballroom that buzzed with anticipation of a lively soire...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Flora and Fauna” by Sarah Jo

Submitted to Contest #254

The ballroom looked positively regal this evening. As opposed to how it usual boring presentation meant for receiving our people. I believe in their voices and that they deserve them, truly. But can't our grand ballroom also look divine while we do it?"It's not right to flaunt our fortune in front of those coming to us because they are without, Katerina," my mother always reminded me whenever I complained. As well as how uneconomical it was to constantly keep this space in such a state.But, like a dragon, I had a taste for luxury. I desired ...

2 comments 2

Read story

“The chum and the sparkle” by Dana Manoli

Submitted to Contest #254

Here we go again. Stiff, sweaty, uncomfortable, at yet another dance party he didn't want to attend; steering at the changing couples from one dance to another, noticing secret glances and remembering the beautiful summer evenings in the country.He genuinely had no choice. This year he must accompany his mother and sister to all the made up by the ton parties. Brianna, his younger sister, made her debut.So he sits and waits for hours, just like the porters stuck up at the door. He, for one, has no intention of making even a non-compulsory ge...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Whispers of Treason” by Sabal Gallo Cloonan

Submitted to Contest #254

In the opulent ballroom of Thornfield Hall, the air is thick with whispers and the scent of fresh roses. The year is 1672, and the hall is alight with the golden glow of candle chandeliers, casting long shadows across the faces of the nobility. Amidst the sea of twirling gowns and coattails, Lady Isabella Cavendish finds herself in the arms of a mysterious stranger, Lord Edward Fairfax. As they join the dance, their hands touch lightly, and the connection is electric. The music swells, a complex harmony of violins and harpsichords, as Edward...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Bail” by Priyasha Munshi

Submitted to Contest #254

“I want you to come with me,” Fred whispered. “Sorry, what?” I yelled back, swaying my hips to Houdini by Dua Lipa. “I want you to come with me!” He took a hold of my arm, dragging me towards the exit. “Fine, but make it quick. I told the DJ to play Karma by Jojo Siwa.” “It’ll be super quick. I promise.” We stepped outside and immediately, the cold wind slapped me in the face, lifting my dress up. I pushed it back down with my left hand, Fred still dragging me towards the back of the gym. “Fred, just tell me what’s going on.” “You know what ...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Stately Talks” by S.G. Williams

Submitted to Contest #254

Music hung in the air and weaved between the finely carved and painted wooden pillars that appeared to hold up the night sky itself. “Wonderful isn’t it?” “Hmm?” Sir George said. “The ceiling,” Ambassador Hugo said, “the attention to detail is like none else in all the world. I have to imagine it’s a more welcome sight than the Fenlands. Wonderful that you were able to make it back in time to join us.” The trapped knight looked up from his drink at the ceiling in question. He hoped the gesture showed enough of an interest that the Ambassador...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Invitation to Dance” by Peter Wallace

Submitted to Contest #254

The quartet started the slow waltz as couples ambled onto the small parquet dance floor in the American Legion Hall. Gary had his right hand on the girl’s waist, and his left gently cradled her outstretched hand. “I’ve been waiting for a slow song to ask you to dance.”“I’m glad you did. I like the slow dances best, I think.”Ruby was self-assured, except when it came to romance. She felt she was attractive but felt awkward in courtship relationships. Now there she was, dancing with the best man. And she really thought he was the best man she’...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Mr. Smith Changed His Mind” by Dmitrii Jeraux

Submitted to Contest #254

There truly are places to hide in this world. It may seem small, the same people, same places. Except, because the cities are the same, what about towns? Villages? Or, in my case, truly somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Deserts are non-viable, the satellite scans will snatch your position in seconds. Go into the jungle - you'll risk catching a disease. Small settlements give off rumours. However, mountains are truly somewhere you can disappear. It doesn't mean that I hide. I've established quite the place up here, in the Alps. A lovely mot...

1 comment 1

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story at a Regency-themed fair.

Short Story – 12 stories

Write a story where a rumor starts to spread. Your protagonist is either the topic or the source.

Short Story – 54 stories

Write a story about two characters who start as mortal enemies but learn to embrace their differences.

Short Story – 37 stories

Write a story in the format of a gossip column.

Short Story – 37 stories

Contest #254

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: The Talk of the Ton

$250

Prize money

218

Contest entries

88

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 14, 2024 EST

Won by Phoebe Barr 🏆

Title: Found Family

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 where an important conversation takes place during a dance.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 78 stories

“En Passant at the Ball” by Cassandra Porter

“A Night in the Fairytale” by Gabrielle Bond

“The Business Proposal” by Melanie B. Gaston

“A Tempting Offer” by Natalie Portera-Sickler

“Once upon a grieving dance ” by Inalem Green

“Tiptoeing” by Bob Faszczewski

“Cheers to my Chagrin” by Connie Elstun

“Meeting at the Silver Lining” by Violet Frost

“Flora and Fauna” by Sarah Jo

“The chum and the sparkle” by Dana Manoli

“Whispers of Treason” by Sabal Gallo Cloonan

“Bail” by Priyasha Munshi

“Stately Talks” by S.G. Williams

“Invitation to Dance” by Peter Wallace

“Mr. Smith Changed His Mind” by Dmitrii Jeraux

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story at a Regency-themed fair.

Write a story where a rumor starts to spread. Your protagonist is either the topic or the source.

Write a story about two characters who start as mortal enemies but learn to embrace their differences.

Write a story in the format of a gossip column.

Contest #254

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

218

Contest entries

88

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: