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

“Temptation” by Cliff Pratt

Submitted to Contest #226

I immediately noticed her pale skin. Pale translucent skin, the type of skin that goes with red hair and freckles. Long red hair falling straight to her shoulders. Red hair that she shook back, exposing her pale neck. I thought I saw a pulse. ‘Alabaster skin’. Isn’t that what they call it? I dragged my eyes away and concentrated on what my group were discussing. I sipped my drink, but my eyes kept drifting back to the girl and her pale, pale skin. Then, suddenly, she had gone. A different group of people sat at the table that she and her...

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“Don't Follow Me, Maria” by Maggie Papa

Submitted to Contest #226

Donald couldn’t find his wisdom. Serenity, he had in buckets. He accepted long ago that he could not change the insatiable hunger for what he could not have in the second stomach where his heart should have been. And courage he could muster just fine if he needed to. He’d saved up courage for years, just waiting until the perfect moment to finally restore what once was. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom…” He found it odd that wisdom came last in the p...

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“Red Wine ” by Megan McCrary

Submitted to Contest #226

Johnathan’s hands rested atop her shoulders. Elle could feel the warmth of his body behind her, both of them gazing at her image in the mirror. Her white blouse was clean, unblemished, and she tilted her head as she tucked it into her black pencil skirt. “You look beautiful,” her husband murmured, placing a gentle kiss on the side of her head. The doorbell rang and she heaved a sigh. “It’ll be over before you know it. Your food smells great, the house looks exceptional, just like you…” He winked as he walked backward out of the bathroom do...

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“Sybolism” by Clara 'CC' Carlyle

Submitted to Contest #226

This story has adult themes.Five Years Agoknock, knock, knock…."Hello L-L little G-girl.""Hi my name is Amber and I'm here to support my troop. Would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies?" "Is that your real N-name? A- Amber?" Mike asked his young, innocent neighbor. Sweating she mouthed, "Cross my heart" as she signed a cross with her hand. Even at thirteen years old she knew how to flirt. "H-H-H-How much for a B-box?" "Depends on which flavor you like.""I like the, umm, L-L-L-lemon flavor. How much are they?""Nine dollars...

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“A Demon's Bargain” by Zoe King

Submitted to Contest #226

I stand at the base of a stone plate resembling two intersecting stars. At the diffraction point of one of the stars stands my agent, otherwise my assistant—I don’t like people thinking I need help with my choices—Sir Blakely Barner. I call him Blakely. I would be fine on my own, but my lawyer insisted I find someone to help. I don’t need assistance in court, either. No one understands that a man like me is capable enough. I am about to make a decision that may affect my life. Bargaining with untamed spirits should be illegal, Blakely...

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“The Heart's Desire” by Vladimir 4757

Submitted to Contest #226

Across a vast ocean, cloaked in a thick fog, a ship navigating by the dim light from a derelict lighthouse. Barely able to see the way to a harbor nestled deep through the thick blanket of fog covering the seas. Even through this veil the captain keeps course, his eyes fixed to the seas, but once-in-a-while will take a glance at a man on the deck, wearing a trenchcoat and a top hat, his head hanging low, while the crew frantically make sure the ship doesn’t crash into any rocks. “Cursed island, though I wo...

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“Ariadne” by Alexandra Noir

Submitted to Contest #226

*** Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who is the monster of them all? *** Solitude has been your salvation a thousand times over, yet in the poverty of words, you began to paint yourself... empty of words, devoid of dreams... desolate of love and cloaked in a mantle colored with hatred. And you hated so much that you lost track of time... and lost yourself. A bit of black... the ultimate mourning that the soul can give... the color of your blood after each battle lost with Him. A bit of blue, for every tear aimlessly shed into the downy pi...

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“Lost Connection” by Chris Churilla

Submitted to Contest #226

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Contains adult language, sexual content, and violence.“I am going home,” Mona said, staring at her French textbook. “Je…”She glanced at her phoneShe looked back at her textbook.“Je…”Back to the phone.Stared hard at it.Back to the textbook.“Je…damn it!”She reached for her phone and brought up a search app.It rang, causing her to yelp and drop it.“Shit!”She looked at the caller ID, which read ALICE, and then picked up.“Hey bitch, what’s up?” she said.“Not struggling with my French homework, that’s for sure.”“Says the girl with t...

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“You're Better Than This” by Michael Moran

Submitted to Contest #226

We arrived, after an hour and a half crawl on Highway 80 from the Bay Area to Sacramento. My fiancé, usually the patient one, tensed up several times and grunted as someone passed us illegally on the shoulder of the highway. “It’s Thanksgiving,” I said in that tone that also says, gently, take a breath. “It’s time for us to spend together.” She sighed and said, “You promise you’ll stick to our deal?” “Mm-hm,” I replied. The sun wouldn’t set for hours. I turned from the large city street onto the private road owned by Uncle Marvin and Au...

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“The Gap” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #226

Jake had to travel about as far as he could from what he had to see it for what it was. Even then, it took a while for him to regain his sight. Australia was different. He’d been warned that it would be, but like most tourists he disregarded everything he heard, apart from the danger presented by the spiders. For the first two weeks he lifted the toilet seat and refused to sit on it for fear of the ignominy of a death sat atop a porcelain throne. He knew of the myriad unique dangers this strange and wonderful island held and the lo...

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“The Replacement Organist” by Szabolcs Takács

Submitted to Contest #226

Note: Contains references to sexual harassment and bisexual relationship.Elisa was slowly walking through the church hall, approaching the stairs leading up to the church balcony, carrying a bag full of printed sheet music. As of late, the balcony had been her second chosen home, a place to withdraw to or even to lock herself up from the outside world during practice. She yearned for the safety it provided from external impulses, and the clear advantage of not being seen even while being heard. She was acting as a partial replacement of the ...

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“The Greatest Myth” by Anthony Frost

Submitted to Contest #226

It feels great to feel nothing. It was slow to get here. Every cut took seconds to make, the decision to make them took hours. How many? How deep? With what instrument? Ten, five on each arm, straight horizontal lines forming tiny ladders. Deep enough to easily pry open with your fingers. With my fathers favorite kitchen knife, eight inches, stainless steel, and sharpened every day after dinner. It's time, I feel the abyss growing. My eyelids are gaining weight. Not much longer now. I use my final seconds to appreciate my creation. Scanning ...

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“Flight (Year 1983)” by JW McAteer

Submitted to Contest #226

Flight (Year 1983) Courtney awoke, hazy and thirsty, a headache spreading outward from the center of her forehead. The curtains sat open, sending a spear of sunlight into her eyes. “Seriously Derrick, what the hell?” She spun her feet to the floor, propping herself up with her left hand and wincing at the pain. The bandage across her palm stained and frayed. She was supposed to change it every day, but the last few weeks kinda blurred together. Courtney surveyed the empty brown bottles and silver cans that stood scattered across the...

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“Delusion” by H J

Submitted to Contest #226

She had never seen a more beautiful man, his brown eyes followed her around the room. She could feel him accessing her, taking in every inch of her medium build, her brown hair and her basic jeans and t-shirt. She didn’t stand out and she knew it, making his attention even more unnerving. Nervously she turned to face him, she caught his eye briefly. The moment was so intense she had to leave to catch her breath, collect herself and decide what to do next. She ran to the bathroom and slammed the cubicle door shut behind her. “You’re b...

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“A mother's love on thanksgiving” by Rylie Demers

Submitted to Contest #226

On this particular Thanksgiving, the house was alive with noise and activity. Children of varying ages, from toddlers to teenagers, joyfully darted around, their laughter and excited chatter echoing in the hallways. Parents and relatives, meanwhile, were engrossed in their own lively conversations, which took place in the inviting comfort of the living room adorned with family photos and treasured mementos. Thanksgiving had always been a day synonymous with excitement and the comforting warmth of family connections. However, within the reces...

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

Submissions are closed

✍️ 56 stories

“Temptation” by Cliff Pratt

“Don't Follow Me, Maria” by Maggie Papa

“Red Wine ” by Megan McCrary

“Sybolism” by Clara 'CC' Carlyle

“A Demon's Bargain” by Zoe King

“The Heart's Desire” by Vladimir 4757

“Ariadne” by Alexandra Noir

“Lost Connection” by Chris Churilla

“You're Better Than This” by Michael Moran

“The Gap” by Jed Cope

“The Replacement Organist” by Szabolcs Takács

“The Greatest Myth” by Anthony Frost

“Flight (Year 1983)” by JW McAteer

“Delusion” by H J

“A mother's love on thanksgiving” by Rylie Demers

🌟 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

189

Contest entries

87

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: