Write a story about a tea party that your character is reluctant to go to.

Posted in Summer on Oct 26, 2022

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?

✍️ 44 stories

“Pink Martini” by Deidra Whitt Lovegren

Submitted to Contest #128

“I don’t think I’m ready.”“You’re ready. Besides, you don’t have a choice.”“I don’t have a chance . . .” “C’mon. She’s sweet.”“She’s scary.”“She’s sweet and scary and—six years old. Look, I think you have a distinct advantage, being a grown up and all.”“Ugh . . . tell me what she wants to do again?”“She wants to have tea with her mommy’s new boyfriend.”“Where?”“In the treehouse.”“Do I have to climb the tree?”“Yes, you have to climb the tree—in your suit.”“Why do I have to wear a suit? I don’t even wear a suit to work.”“She wants a forma...

44 comments 44

Read story

“A Cup of Suspicion” by Sharon Harris

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #128

Warning - If you accept your invitation to this tea party, there will be mentions of poison and murder. It starts at 3.30pm GMT. Don’t be late.Why had Hazel invited the taxman to tea? Was he the next to suffer, like they had? Last month she’d asked the planning officer who’d refused to let her build a conservatory, the month before that, it had been the headmistress who’d given Billy a detention.There was a pattern, but only Jude could see it. The other friends (or were they victims?) thought Hazel was a darling to invite such a range of peo...

23 comments 23

Read story

“The Had Matter” by Angel Elle

Submitted to Contest #128

“I just don’t understand where this aggression is coming from, Alice. The man has extended an invitation to you, and it’d be rude not to accept. Now, you just march yourself straight up to your room and stay there until dinner’s ready. You’re going, and that’s final.”Alice turned on her heel and reluctantly soldiered to her room, making sure as she went to express her disdain in every way possible; stamping her feet, crossing her arms, heavily sighing and pouting, and muttering such things as, “it’s not fair,” and, “you just don’t under...

19 comments 19

Read story

“The Introductory Resocialization Event” by P.V. Andrews

Submitted to Contest #128

“You’re the first teenager to be invited from this province,” said my mother, trying to sound cheery. I looked at her, then down at the new dress spread across my bed. It hurt my eyes with its shiny newness and bright color. I didn’t even like the texture – the material felt stiff and unyielding, and I knew it would be uncomfortable. I had only ever worn soft cotton pants and t-shirts in grey. “I don’t want to go,” I stated to the dress. “You must,” my mother said sternly, and she stood to help me put it over my head. “It’s a pretty dress,” ...

7 comments 7

Read story

“Eventually She Will Crack” by Diana Sadat

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #128

Eventually She Will Crack ‘Wait, you got fired again?’ ‘Yes. Do you have a lighter?’ Beverly reached over from the driving seat and sun in her glove compartment. She found a small silver lighter and handed it to Margot. ‘Thanks,’ said Margot, opening the car window and lighting the tip of her cigarette. ‘What for this time?’ Said Beverly, chancing glances between the road ahead and her sister in the passenger seat. ‘Punched my boss.’ ‘You what?’ Beverly’s shock took form in a lasting gaze at her sister, one that lingered a s...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Bad Tea, Good Friends” by Rachel Kenley Fry

Submitted to Contest #128

Ava’s dress was not even pretty and the hot chocolate was SUPER watery.That’s what I’m gonna tell my mom when she akses me about the tea party. Pecause really, grown ups think Ava’s dresses are so cute, but they’re waaaay too pink and the sparkles get everywhere. Green dresses are ackshully way awesomer, pecause Merida wears green and she’s the best Disney Princess that nobody even knows about. And this hot chocolate is just like, warm water, but it has some cocoa in it, but really not very much and it’s not really as yummy as when my mom ma...

11 comments 11

Read story

“Another Cup, Dear?” by Jonathan Sadler

Submitted to Contest #128

(This work of fiction contains sensitive content involving the death of a child.) Mamie heard the high-pitched whistle of her country kettle as the water began to boil and gently pushed herself up from her careworn recliner. "Another cup, dear?" she asked, as she moved from the living room into the kitchen. Her husband sat at the kitchen table, arms resting comfortably next to his breakfast plate. Mamie smiled when she looked in his eyes; those deep, dark eyes that she had loved for years upon years. She passed by and gave him a gentle kis...

10 comments 10

Read story

“Let Her Be Little” by Jacqueline Gualtieri

Submitted to Contest #128

He adjusted his bow-tie for the third time in the vanity mirror. His charcoal eyes were weary as he pulled it apart and started it again. The little red bow always looked a little eschew. When he finished it for the fourth time, he ran his hand through the tuft of hair on the top of his head, pulling it up to give it volume and then flattening it back down again. “What’s wrong, Hector?” Teresa asked, popping into the mirror behind him. Her tan skin shone in the fluorescent light, as did the muffins in her hand. “I made these fresh fo...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Three For Tea- The Disappearance of Tiffany Rogers” by Angel Vargas

Submitted to Contest #128

“Don’t go there,” I told my sister, shaking my head. “Don’t take us.”The driver (aka- my sister, Kia) met my plea with a steely silence. I tried again. “They don’t want me there anyway. I’m bad news, right?” I shook my head. “We should turn around.”Kia, eyes forward, both hands on her steering wheel, sighed. “You’re still moving forward, sis.”“I can’t slam on the breaks or make a U-turn on the damn highway, now can I?” “Maybe not, but could you at least acknowledge my request?” “You mean the part where you keep running aw...

5 comments 5

Read story

“Narrative Shift” by Minerva Noiropp

Submitted to Contest #128

Dread filled Alisa's footsteps. The door opened onto a room with a long table. There was a steaming cup of unidentified tea on a table to the right of the door. It had her name on it. 6 people sat to either side. Their images were blurry, dark, yet distinct. For want of a better term, Alisa thought of them as demons. The opposite end of the table was still empty. "Please, Alisa, we've been expecting you. Welcome to take the tea. It is a special brew," a deep voice intoned. Alisa was unable to determine the gender or the person who said it. ...

5 comments 5

Read story

“Elizabeth and Rebecca Go to a Party” by C.B. Oates

Submitted to Contest #128

Boston, MA December 15th, 1773“So, Elizabeth, are you going to the Boston Tea Party tomorrow evening?” The two young ladies took a break from their board games by the fireside to discuss the matter.“My goodness, Rebecca, I haven’t the slightest.”“Neither have I, and I have yet to gather the details. The town crier’s rumor segment was quite choppy today. Do you not concur? I think he has consumption.”“Agreed, I could barely hear him over all of that nasty coughing. I did catch that the Sons of Liberty organized the tea party- whoever they are...

3 comments 3

Read story

“An Unwanted Tea Party” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #128

I don’t know why my mother thinks that she should arrange my social life for me. I am a responsible adult after all. I have a good job, that pays well enough for me to have a nice apartment where I can live by myself and not with her. And I am thirty years old. Yet, she still thinks she should make social arrangements for me. A tea party of all things! She wants me to go to a tea party. Although my name is Alice, I don’t fancy drinking tea with some old queens, not unless I can be the one to say, “Off with their...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Tea with Tracy” by Scott Huntley

Submitted to Contest #128

WARNING - Contains violence, mature themes and language.“Great work today, Brad. See you on Monday.” Stavros said, as he sped out of his office door and whizzed right past me.“Thank you Stavros, you too!” I called out after him. Stavros waved his hand without looking back and walked out of the studio. We landed two new design contracts and completed another project to the client’s satisfaction. Stavros Christou Designs was a beautifully decorated office space located in a converted townhouse, and the showpiece for our interior design clients...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Tea and Tarry” by Rhiannon Roberts

Submitted to Contest #128

You're invited! to Tea and Tarry From 3PM to 10PM We look forward to seeing you there! M&H Why is there always a certain amount of dread and excitement attached to social outings? instantly doubt going since you might not feel like it on the day and future casting can be a serious thing, to almost craving the company of new acquaintances and friends, wanting to know what kind of interesting is there to encounter. The fascination too much so eventually, on the very day, an hour before it starts, you do. However, this event held more ang...

1 comment 1

Read story

“THE DIVINE ESCAPE PLAN” by Denise Brackett

Submitted to Contest #128

It is an utter waste of time if you ask me. People dressed up as clowns, parading around talking nonsense for what? I’d much rather spend my evening sitting on my sofa, enjoying a good movie, some comfort food and myself. Yes, that’s right, no company necessary. Every year, the same thing happens, no changes, the same crowd, the same type of music, and, yes, the same location. Maybe if they had had it in a different section of the vineyard, since they are trying to be cost-effective, I’d have considered it, but not in that garden with the s...

4 comments 4

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with someone making a cup of tea — either for themself or for someone else.

Fluff – 171 stories

Set your story in a tea house.

Spring – 36 stories

Write about a character who’s dying to “spill the tea” (gossip) about something.

Fluff – 21 stories

Write a story about a conflict that breaks out over something ordinary (like tea, perhaps).

High School – 26 stories

Contest #128

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Tea Time

$250

Prize money

298

Contest entries

160

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 14, 2022 EST

Won by Jay Wayne 🏆

Title: my fellow passerine

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 a tea party that your character is reluctant to go to.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 44 stories

“Pink Martini” by Deidra Whitt Lovegren

“A Cup of Suspicion” by Sharon Harris

“The Had Matter” by Angel Elle

“The Introductory Resocialization Event” by P.V. Andrews

“Eventually She Will Crack” by Diana Sadat

“Bad Tea, Good Friends” by Rachel Kenley Fry

“Another Cup, Dear?” by Jonathan Sadler

“Let Her Be Little” by Jacqueline Gualtieri

“Three For Tea- The Disappearance of Tiffany Rogers” by Angel Vargas

“Narrative Shift” by Minerva Noiropp

“Elizabeth and Rebecca Go to a Party” by C.B. Oates

“An Unwanted Tea Party” by John Steckley

“Tea with Tracy” by Scott Huntley

“Tea and Tarry” by Rhiannon Roberts

“THE DIVINE ESCAPE PLAN” by Denise Brackett

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with someone making a cup of tea — either for themself or for someone else.

Set your story in a tea house.

Write about a character who’s dying to “spill the tea” (gossip) about something.

Write a story about a conflict that breaks out over something ordinary (like tea, perhaps).

Contest #128

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

298

Contest entries

160

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: