At some point in your story, a character says “You’re better than this…”.

Posted in Thanksgiving on Nov 24, 2023

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✍️ 56 stories

“Mac and Cheese and Muffin Mix” by Hannah Lynn

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #226

The line was already forming as Margaret pulled into the parking lot of the small, unmarked building tucked into the residential neighborhood. The usual characters were front and center waiting at the locked door. “Good morning,” she called out, juggling several brown paper bags, careful to keep her keys on hand to unlock the pantry. “Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!” She was met with smiles and cheerful holiday greetings. Those closest to the door shuffled to the side allowing the older woman to pass. “Please stay...

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“The Issue with the Humans” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #226

The Director sat behind the snow white table with the manila folder on it. It was opened to the first page with a single title, “CASE 2137,” in all red font with caps lock on. The next few pages documented the issues and incidents with dated charts from several Keepers who had been kind enough to initial each note. This meant they had all received the call and were sitting studiously in chairs outside of the meeting room. All of them watched as a group of stern council members passed them-all of them refused to make eye contact. The Keepers ...

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“Forgot the Turkey” by Michał Przywara

Submitted to Contest #226

I wake up early and make coffee because it’s a big day for me and Lydia – it’s the day her old man finally has a date with a government bullet. Truth be told, I didn’t get much sleep. My gut’s been dizzy all month, thinking the nightmare was actually going to be over soon. And damn it! Guess I’m not great at making coffee either, as I forgot the carafe again and the machine’s dribbling all over the counter. “Heya handsome,” I hear from the doorway, just as I begin wiping up the soggy mess. It’s Lydia, in her nightgown, and she’s as gorgeous ...

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“The Unbreakable Bond” by Kate Winchester

Submitted to Contest #226

Leonardo Lance Leavitt, DDS was six years shy of becoming a forty-year-old virgin, of which he was painfully aware. No women were eagerly lining up to get laid by a man whose nickname was L3, but perhaps equally appalling to women was sleeping with a dentist. Maybe if he were a plastic surgeon, his prospects would be greater, and if all else failed, he’d at least have the satisfaction of fondling women’s breasts. He blushed. Nope, he chastised himself, he was a professional; he wouldn’t have those thoughts. ...

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“Because He Likes You” by Sofia Olivarez

Submitted to Contest #226

My mother once told me about a time when she and Papí were arguing, and he got so angry that he raised a lamp to hit her with. Those were the days when we would hear his footsteps stomping up the front porch and rush to our places—me at my desk, Mamí in the kitchen—like actors right before the curtains come up. The smallest inconveniences could send him into a tempest of rage. Anyway, when he lifted that lamp she got right in his face, she tells me, felt his hot rage smack her with each pant. “If you’re gonna hit me,” she growled, and now th...

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“Hot Dog Highway” by Craig Scott

Submitted to Contest #226

Uncle Phil stood in the highway; hands on his hips and comely smile spread across his bearded face. He wore a bright red sweater with yellow pin-stripes and corduroy pants natural to the style of his time. Rain fell around him, sogging the edges of his cardboard frame and slowly wilting his structural integrity into a collapsing blanket. Wind rocked him on the cardboard triangle that propped him upright. Given time he would be knocked over and become so much mush on the road. But not yet.He had been stolen from a local high school’s Winter F...

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“Santa Comes to Dinner” by M. Nathan Robinson

Submitted to Contest #226

This Santa is a bit different. He brings two bags full, slung over his shoulder, and rather than using the chimney, bursts through our back door, unexpected. He leaves another knob-sized dent in the drywall and pries the trim from the doorframe as he forces his oversized load through the undersized threshold. And this Santa doesn’t arrive with a cheerful greeting, but a somber, “Hey,” followed quickly with a slightly less somber, “What’s for dinner?” The pan-fried chicken portioned for three now needs to accommodate five, since this Santa,...

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“Hoot Knew?” by Meghan Brooks

Submitted to Contest #226

Deals with demons, bargains with fairies, contracts work with strigans, all of these require reading the fine print before one throws themselves at something that they might come to regret in the long run. Desperation breeds rash decisions and that's what makes these transactions all the more powerful and dangerous like they were fish, ensnared by the temptation of a fishing line. Not many people are known to have wised up to the sweet talk of these beings and gotten out of these dealings with their souls, hearts, or other things they valued...

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“I Wish I Had What They Had” by Ashley Sawh

Submitted to Contest #226

“You’re better than this, Yona.” My mom said “You could have-” “Stop.” My brother cut her off. “Excuse me?” “You heard me,” Parker continued as he stood up, slamming his fork with a piece of chicken on the end back onto his full plate of food. “Do not talk to her that way, especially about school, especially now.” “She’s my daughter-” “-and she’s my sister!” He slammed his fist on the wooden table “Don’t talk to Fiona that way!” “Speak to your mother kindly, son-” “Oh don’t even get me started with you.” Parker snarled as he moved clo...

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“The Marshal” by Mark Burns

Submitted to Contest #226

“That your final word on it, kid?”My hand hovered over the butt of the old Remington on my hip. “That depends on you, Mr. Hall.”I couldn’t believe it had come to this. My mind flashed back to a much better time…Edward B. Hall had always been a hero of mine. He’d been town marshal of Sweet Springs, Kansas since before I was born. My name’s Dan Bonner, and ever since I could ride a horse, I told everyone I was going to be a lawman, just like Marshal Hall. In the spring of ‘79, Hall was between deputies, and I saw my chance.I pulled the Deputy ...

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“Greta, Greta...” by Lyle Closs

Submitted to Contest #226

“Greta, Greta.” It’s just a whisper. So quiet it’s at the edge of audible. Greta looks up from the lounge. Did she hear that, she wonders, or did she imagine it? Must have imagined it. Shakes her head and looks back at her book. Looks around the room again, worried. Looks at the book, drops it onto the coffee table and stands up, stretches. Probably need more sleep. It’s been a tough few weeks. … Greta sits on the toilet, pajama pants at her ankles. The door is open. She lives alone in the one-bedroom flat and it’s locked up. Bed calls. She ...

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“The Apple of Her Eye” by Bob Long Jr

Submitted to Contest #226

Gabby followed her sister, Samantha, and her latest boyfriend to the door and as they were leaving, she said, "Thanks for everything. We absolutely could not have done this without your help. I'll text you soon with the date and time for the cookout." "Thanks, sis. I still owe you. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for you!"The last of the family and friends had gone home and now, they were all alone, just the two of them, and they could not be happier."I have to pinch myself Gabe, I can't believe we are homeowners. No more trips to...

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“Tommy Thunder” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #226

“C’mon bum!” Shouted the fans of the half filled venue where two heavy weights were slugging it out in the seventh round. Thomas Petreche AKA Tommy Thunder had reached his wall and was trying to keep his opponent, The Brown Bomber from landing one of his lightning left jabs. His legs felt like lead and he had sweated off over six pounds from the opening bell. Tommy went to the ropes, but the Bomber AKA Roscoe Washington from Harlem was able to zero in on his target, Tommy’s double chins. With one powerful blow, Tommy...

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“Thanks to You” by Jesse James Chambers

Submitted to Contest #226

Content Warning: This story takes place in a gentlemen's club and the co-main character is an exotic dancer.Raven: Back again, huh?James: Yep.Raven: Do you actually like it here?James: Um…yeah, I guess so.Raven: Why?James: Why not?Raven: This place is a dump.James: You work here!Raven: Yeah, well, it’s still a dump.James: Um, ok. If you say so.PauseRaven: Do you have a girlfriend?James: No. PauseI don’t.Raven: When was the last time you did?James: Why do you want to ...

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“What's in it For Me?” by Kathleen Fidler

Submitted to Contest #226

“Is this recording?” Jackson asked. “Yeah.” “Alright.” He turned to the man sitting across from them. The man’s black eyes were flecked with red and gold. His veins were black as well, running like map lines under his paper white flesh. His hands in the cuffs had turned a strange pink colour, which meant the cuffs were working to keep him under control. “You’re gonna tell us everything, okay? From the beginning.” “No beginning to tell, really,” the man said. “None of that crap. Start talking,” Cora said. “You think you can ...

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At some point in your story, a character says “You’re better than this…”.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 56 stories

“Mac and Cheese and Muffin Mix” by Hannah Lynn

“The Issue with the Humans” by Amanda Lieser

“Forgot the Turkey” by Michał Przywara

“The Unbreakable Bond” by Kate Winchester

“Because He Likes You” by Sofia Olivarez

“Hot Dog Highway” by Craig Scott

“Santa Comes to Dinner” by M. Nathan Robinson

“Hoot Knew?” by Meghan Brooks

“I Wish I Had What They Had” by Ashley Sawh

“The Marshal” by Mark Burns

“Greta, Greta...” by Lyle Closs

“The Apple of Her Eye” by Bob Long Jr

“Tommy Thunder” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

“Thanks to You” by Jesse James Chambers

“What's in it For Me?” by Kathleen Fidler

🌟 Similar prompts

Your family’s holiday dinners always end with everyone at each other’s throats. This year you’re determined to keep a low profile, but your patience is being put to the test.

Your character finally gives into a temptation they've been avoiding, and becomes better because of it.

Write a story about somebody trying to rationalize giving into temptation, even though they know they shouldn’t.

Black Friday is the one day of the year where the Devil makes selling your soul a good thing, although there are some bizarre T’s & C’s.

Contest #226

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

190

Contest entries

87

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: