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

Posted in Short Story on Jun 7, 2024

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✍️ 78 stories

“Never?” by Tinaye Wakatama

Submitted to Contest #254

‘So it’s decided? You never want to marry?’ Evangeline stared at Seraya as if she had no sense. But Seraya had sense. She had thought long and hard about this decision. ‘Are you insane?’ ‘Quite the opposite.’ Seraya plucked a cherry from a bowl and continued circling the dining room table as they waited for their parents to come down for the ball. ‘I simply do not need a husband.’ ‘Is this…’ Evangeline hesitated, fidgeting with her gloves. ‘Is this because of what happened in your first season out?’ Seraya paused in her steps. ‘No.’ ‘But Ser...

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“An Apology for an Apology ” by Elle Sanchez

Submitted to Contest #254

An Apology for an ApologyWritten by Eliani J. SanchezWARNING: This short story is centered around the impending loss of a child. Please read at your discretion. If you need to speak to someone, I encourage you to call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Prom“We have to talk about it!” Fisher nearly shouts, in my ear, over the music. “No, we don’t!” I argue, looking around ensuring that no one else is paying attention to us. ...

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“Shadows of Deception” by Michael Palmieri

Submitted to Contest #254

Whitman's estate loomed majestically against the night sky, its majestic architecture illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns lining the driveway. As Jane Parker stepped out of the sleek black car, a doorman in a crisp uniform opened the door for her and bowed. She joined the stream of late arrivals, her green cocktail dress hugging her figure perfectly, a striking contrast to her fiery red hair. She entered the ballroom, immediately enveloped by the buzz of laughter, clinking glasses, and classical music playing softly in the background. T...

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“The Titleless Lady and the Emerald Prince” by Katelynn Wu

Submitted to Contest #254

As guests adorned in feathers and silks elegantly glided across the marble ballroom floor, sipped the goblets of aged crimson wine, gossiped into the ears of one another, and laughed while concealing their faces behind their delicate fans, I hid. Under one of the many stone arches of the king’s opulent ballroom filled with intricate oil paintings and glittering crystals, I wrapped my hands around myself. I was a sheep in wolves’ clothing. The dress I wore was not bought but stolen from the local seamstress, who likely had sewn together a qua...

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“A Dance of Fate ” by Naysa Johnson

Submitted to Contest #254

"What are you doing?" There was a moment of shock, of panic. I felt the spike in my heart, but all of my focus was on the crowd. The hundreds of eyes all moving my way. All suddenly honing in their attention on us. "You know what I am doing." His hands were around my waist, locking in with a slight dip in his fingers. His pull forcing me to move with him, each step at a time. One by one slowly moving us towards the dance floor, now rid of any other couple. It sat there empty, waiting for a simple pair to come and take up its vast space. And ...

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“An Unlikely Proposal” by Silver Rose

Submitted to Contest #254

“Look, whatever you think you saw,” Lord Reuben Edstatson says as we step close to each other. “I know what I saw, Lord Edstatson” I whisper back as we join our left hands loosely and circle each other. “I saw you and Mr. Woodrey in the drawing room off the hall…” I pause as the dance takes us further away from each other and I spin with the lady next to me. I can remember very clearly the moment I opened the door to what I thought would be an empty room, wanting a break from the crowd in the ballroom, to find it already occupied by two resp...

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“The talk of the ton” by Martha Rose

Submitted to Contest #254

The ballroom glittered under a thousand candles, their flickering flames casting a golden luminescence over the assembly of London's finest. Silks rustled, jewels sparkled, and laughter intermingled with the lilting strains of a waltz played by an unseen orchestra. Lady Amelia St. Clair stood near the edge of the room, her eyes scanning the crowd with a serene grace that belied the tumult within her.The new Season had been relentless: a whirlwind of social engagements, suitors, and the ceaseless pursuit of a favourable match. Yet tonight, th...

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“Baby Pole Dancer” by ZyrEos Krotos

Submitted to Contest #254

Lilly’s slightly panicked breathing evened the moment the slow beat of the music reached her ears and she started to count. One, two, three, four. Five, six, seven, eight… She opened her eyes, swiftly sweeping the crowd with her gaze. She stopped on Iris for just a fraction of second, repressing a smile. She didn’t catch how she had dolled herself up, putting her orange hair up in a tight bun, carefully letting a few locks sticking out. Her dressed matched the colour of her eyes; shiny green. Five, six, seven, eight. And one… Lilly lifted he...

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“Chance Encounter of a Young Lady” by Bekah Wren

Submitted to Contest #254

Lydia Ashbrook had been anticipating the Russell's ball for the entire month. However, when the day arrived, Lydia simply refused to go. At least, she would like to refuse if her parents weren’t so stubborn about insisting she attend. “It’s not fair, Hannah. How can they do this to me?” Hannah ran her fingers through her sister’s silky brown hair, searching for hidden tangles before fashioning it into an elegant twist. “Complaining is pointless, Lydia. We already told the Russells that we will be attending, and you would waste the dress Moth...

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“A Waltz Whispered in Shadows” by Charlie Christmann

Submitted to Contest #254

xtension of their dance, yet purposeful in its direction. As they stepped away from the dance floor, the soft murmur of conversation and the gentle strains of music seemed to fade into the background, creating a bubble of privacy amidst the bustling gala.Eleanor and Thomas continued their discussion in this more intimate setting, their voices low and urgent. The weight of their shared knowledge hung between them, a bond forged in secrets and strengthened by a common purpose. As they delved deeper into the intricacies of their plan, the grand...

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“Runaway with Me” by Geneva Rioz

Submitted to Contest #254

The evening sky was lit wonderfully with a hint of orange and pink pushing the blue away with the lowering sun. I watched it out of the window as Julianna tied my corset, adjusting my breathing with every pull I quietly assessed how this night should go.It must go according to plan.I thought as the breath was pulled out of me. My stockings were soft under the layers of thin skirts, I wiggled my toes in excitement as Julianna tapped my side to indicate I was fully tied and ready for my dress to be lifted and put on over my head. I raised my a...

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“Desperate Dance with the Dashing Duke” by Eleanor Hill

Submitted to Contest #254

A not so well-intentioned lady of high society in the Kingdom of Dorvoss once said that if you looked at a wall and then looked at Eloisa St. James, you would be hard pressed to find a difference. While Eloisa herself had never once thought she bore any resemblance to a wall, she could not deny that her shyness often led her to seek comfort in the sturdy outskirts of society’s teeming ballrooms. But not today. Today she would be bold. After all, this was her last chance.Eloisa stood in front of the gilt mirrors of the lady’s washroom at the ...

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“Layers of an Onion.” by Rose Lind

Submitted to Contest #254

Warning Explicit sexualityReference to the Holocaust and German Nationalism. Feeling slightly dizzy, I was overcome by a sense of confinement as steel doors slammed shut, trapping my consciousness in a narrow and dingy hallway. The restless, tangled, and lost souls around me created a weighted and suffocating atmosphere. My head was pounding; I needed to gain control and focus my eyes to stabilise my wavering reflection in the engraved wall mirror. I took a deep breath, and there, there, my face seemed tired. I thought to myself, "This ...

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“Masques of Intrigue” by Veronica Quinn

Submitted to Contest #254

The grand hall of Cricklewood Estate was ablaze with the flicker of candles and the shimmer of silk gowns. Two golden chandeliers added to the grandiosity and extravagance of the event. As she scanned the crowds below, Miss Sophia Langley fixed the delicate lace of her mask, much rejoicing in her anonymity. The annual masquerade ball commenced under no pretention of status, under no announcements as to who would descend the staircase. So, Miss Sophia wasted no haste in coming down the sweeping staircase into the throng of masked figures. Eac...

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“The Invitation” by Clarissa Corpuz

Submitted to Contest #254

A dance and a love story going in circles, pushing and pulling but never letting go. ... All eyes turned as Anna step inside the room. She was but a silhouette of a lady in red—bold, enticing and mysterious. Women eyed her with disbelief. The audacity of a late comer to wear such a scandalous red dress that showcased the entirety of her back in a room full of dignified conservative catholics whose names spell the entirety of the country. Most women wore grandiose white to emphasize their purity unsoiled by their many sins hidden behind a whi...

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

Submissions are closed

✍️ 78 stories

“Never?” by Tinaye Wakatama

“An Apology for an Apology ” by Elle Sanchez

“Shadows of Deception” by Michael Palmieri

“The Titleless Lady and the Emerald Prince” by Katelynn Wu

“A Dance of Fate ” by Naysa Johnson

“An Unlikely Proposal” by Silver Rose

“The talk of the ton” by Martha Rose

“Baby Pole Dancer” by ZyrEos Krotos

“Chance Encounter of a Young Lady” by Bekah Wren

“A Waltz Whispered in Shadows” by Charlie Christmann

“Runaway with Me” by Geneva Rioz

“Desperate Dance with the Dashing Duke” by Eleanor Hill

“Layers of an Onion.” by Rose Lind

“Masques of Intrigue” by Veronica Quinn

“The Invitation” by Clarissa Corpuz

🌟 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 🏆

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