Two strangers meet at a New Year's Eve party. They spend the party together, and then never see each other again.

Posted in Winter on Nov 1, 2022

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✍️ 79 stories

“Ana and Sam” by Mitra S

Submitted to Contest #22

AnaI love beginnings. I go to bookstores and spend hours reading the first page of the new books. I think about the author, sitting at her desk, staring at the blank page, typing those first words. Like a spark to the flame. Like a first bite of the most delicious dessert. I savor those first words. I want to stay on that first page forever. I love the feeling of anticipation. When I watch a movie, I love the casual touching of hands more than the kiss. I love the feeling that comes before happiness. I love the smell of rain. I love the quit...

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“Returning the Favour” by Joshua G. J. Insole

Submitted to Contest #22

1“Don’t panic,” said the man with my face, “I’m not here to hurt you.”The words caught in my throat for a moment. My eyes traced his features – the shape of his head, the crook of his nose, the thickness of his lips, the colour of his eyes, the slightly uneven eyebrows, the partially off-centre teeth. He was me. He was me, he was me, he was me. But I was me. I was sure of it. Mostly. “I—” I stuttered, looking over him once more. The words caught in my throat. The man struck more than a passing resemblance to me. This...

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“2020 Foresight” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #22

Hal saw Alice enter the hotel bar. She was alone and didn’t pause on her way to the bar.The place had been filling up for a while. And with only two hours left in the decade, it would soon be SRO. She approached the well-stocked bar with a predatory expression on her face. When she reached the bar Hal caught her eye and indicated the empty stool next to him. “You’re in time for the show. May I buy you a drink? I’m Hal.” He offered his hand.Alice scanned the room. “I’m Alice. Why don’t I buy you one? Since you held a seat.”Hal smiled and gest...

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“The old year and the new” by Marte Van Der Linden

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #22

The annual handover party was already in full swing when Twenty-Twenty’s cab pulled up in front of the city hall. He paid the cabby and gave him a generous tip.“Thanks, guv. Have a good New Year’s eve party, and happy new year.”“And to you.”Happy. Yes, Twenty-Twenty supposed he could be happy.The doors of the hall were open and a jumble of laughter and twinkling lights spilt out onto the pavement. He stepped into the hall and let the sounds and smells of the party envelop him. At least four different songs were playing simultaneously over th...

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“If I Knew You Better” by Ariga Arkian

Submitted to Contest #22

He was standing there, all in a gentleman position, with a black suit. I really wanted to go to him and say hi (and of course, introduce myself), but I didn’t have the courage. I had never been shy before, except for this time. I was feeling stupid and ugly. Why wouldn’t I? he was so gorgeous and happy, and a real businessman. How did I know? Well, I had my own research. He was Becca’s husband’s best friend’s friend. I know you don’t know him at all, I reminded myself. Who car...

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“The Guilt of Living in a New Year” by Tori Routsong

Submitted to Contest #22

"Chill out." Melinda smacks her lips together, smudging her brilliant ruby lipstick a little. "It's a party. You look like somebody died." “Your lipstick is smudged.” I look dubiously around the room. Everyone already looks wasted—a good sign, I suppose. Even though I’ve always lived in this city, the college life is so different than the townie life that it shocks me that this frat house is only a block away from mine. “It’s dark, nobody will notice.” “I did.” “Nobody fun will notice.” It’s a subtle jab, and she smiles so the impact is soft...

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“The Year of the Aux” by Christian Garduno

Submitted to Contest #22

I had been going to school up in The City and it had been over a year since I left. Over the holiday break, out of the blue, I decided to head down without telling anyone. I got my bag together-one change of clothes, I travel light. I headed to the Avenue and picked up a ride with a chick that was headed to San Diego. I kicked her a 20 dollar bill and 2 tabs and she dropped me off at The Silent Alarm. It was 2 PM and they had just opened, I was the only one in there with the bartender, whose name was Sheyla. I asked her for c...

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“Tricks of the Trade” by Laurentz Baker

Submitted to Contest #22

“I saw you with Mischka and Dru last week,” says Calvin. “You just start with the agency?”“Maybe I did. Maybe I didn’t. Name’s Gia. Word is you were on your way to Brazil, and yet here you are in Atlanta.”“Nothing like ringing in the new decade with fireworks and finger sandwiches,” states Calvin.“Who are you following? Who’s your assignment?” asks Gia.“Maybe it’s you,” says Calvin tapping her wine glass with his. “Who’s your assignment? Who have you followed here?”“I followed you here,” states Gia tapping his wine glass.“You were here befor...

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“City of Churches” by Tim Law

Submitted to Contest #22

He came off the plane like a bear stung by a bee. His mood was foul as his flight from Los Angeles had been delayed and now he’d missed his connection from Adelaide to Brisbane. The company was trying to cut costs and it had cost him a scoop and a half.“Seriously Barry!” he’d shouted down his cell, drawing attention from all the other passengers hurrying through the airport. “If I hire a car and drive it’s almost thirteen hundred miles… You want me to drive that! It’ll take me twenty-four hours!!”“Can we help you sir? You seem distressed…” a...

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“GOING HOME” by William Webster

Submitted to Contest #22

“All flights have been delayed,” the monotone announcer repeated over the loudspeaker on New Year’s Eve. Gregory Mason sat on the rigid plastic chairs with his feet propped up on his backpack, “I’m not about to lay on the filthy carpet like the other waiting passengers. I’ll just sit here,” he thought. Greg waited. And waited. An eternity seemed to pass by as he waited alone in the crowded terminal. The snow that began as soft flurries an hour ago now fell down out of a black sky and showed little o...

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“THE PAINTING” by Kate E

Submitted to Contest #22

Rose knew it made no sense whatsoever for her to be at a New Year’s Eve party that was being held in a nondescript manufacturing-building-turned-art-gallery in the heart of Brooklyn; And yet, here she was.Although the party was held in a gallery, everyone seemed to be completely oblivious to the art that lined the walls. Having not stepped foot inside an art gallery or museum of any kind since failing out of her Art 101 class in college, she found this fact surprising. Making her way around the room, she began assessing the other partygoers,...

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“That Happy Smile” by Iona Cottle

Submitted to Contest #22

“You know, I’m sure it’s bad luck to be grumpy at a party.” Lisa looked up from her drink to the person who’d just spoken to her, but there was something about his smile that stopped her from just biting his head off. “Sorry. Not really in the party mood.” “Then why are you here?” Unlike most men he hadn’t taken the opportunity to sit down and slide close to her yet, and his respectful distance only endeared him more to her. “It’s New Year’s Eve. You’ve got to be at a party, haven’t you.” “You think? I mean, it happens every year.” “I know b...

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“New Year's Kiss” by Aha Blume

Submitted to Contest #22

New Year’s Eve. An event that comes every year. It seemed like everyone was having a party. I thought about not going to anyone’s party. But then my sister told me she needed me at her party."Why?" I asked."Because when the ball drops at midnight everyone kisses.""So why do you need me?""Because. We have 5 couples, and one single person.""So?""So, all the couples will kiss at midnight. Except the one person who will be alone.""Oh I get it. You want me to come just to kiss some stranger at midnight.""Exactly. Please." I figured she was going ...

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“I'll Call You” by Jane Andrews

Submitted to Contest #22

The room is hot and crowded with far too many people, some of whom she knows but mostly strangers – friends of Beth’s from university. Alice takes another sip from the glass that was thrust into her hand when she arrived ten minutes ago, wondering why she is here instead of celebrating the new year – the new millennium – with her family. “Because Beth’s your best friend,” she whispers to herself. “Always has been.” But she knows that’s not true anymore: the confident girl who’s knocking back shots almost as fast as a comedian delivering non-...

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“The Loft” by Cheryl Magin

Submitted to Contest #22

The loft was dense with people. A man scanned the room for a place to situate himself before the ball drop a few hours away. He’d no intentions of moving once located somewhere. He spotted a black couch near the bank of floor to ceiling windows at the far end of the room. A woman sat hunched over the arm facing outward toward the night sky. “You look about as awkward as I feel”.She squinted up at the tall man, but said nothing. “I’m sorry, I meant no offense. I’m Matt”.He rambled on a bit, which confir...

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Two strangers meet at a New Year's Eve party. They spend the party together, and then never see each other again.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 79 stories

“Ana and Sam” by Mitra S

“Returning the Favour” by Joshua G. J. Insole

“2020 Foresight” by John K Adams

“The old year and the new” by Marte Van Der Linden

“If I Knew You Better” by Ariga Arkian

“The Guilt of Living in a New Year” by Tori Routsong

“The Year of the Aux” by Christian Garduno

“Tricks of the Trade” by Laurentz Baker

“City of Churches” by Tim Law

“GOING HOME” by William Webster

“THE PAINTING” by Kate E

“That Happy Smile” by Iona Cottle

“New Year's Kiss” by Aha Blume

“I'll Call You” by Jane Andrews

“The Loft” by Cheryl Magin

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a short story about a person who goes to bed on Valentine's Day and wakes up in 1920.

Write a short story about someone with unconventional New Year's traditions.

Write a short story in which the last line is the countdown to midnight on New Year's Eve.

Write a short story about someone who does not spend December 31st celebrating New Year's Eve.

Contest #22

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

338

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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