Romance Short Stories

Thrown-out Magazines

“When I think of my grandmother, it is weekend dinners.” A choked-up chuckle was followed by some sniffles; Clara dabbed at her eye before continuing the memories. “It wasn’t just…[...]

Rest & Ruin

Lilith’s feet touch the ground, tickled by each blade of grass. She shivers as a sharp gust of wind cuts through her wings. After a long day of the Chase,…[...]

What remains after

CW: Suicide or self harm, Mental health The art studio was always the coldest at 3 AM. When the radiators gave up. When the November wind found every crack in…[...]

Sanctity of Love and Lust

CONTENT WARNING: Violence, Suicide, and Sexual Assault It’s so easy.Thump. Thump. Thump. The minute puberty stained my clothes, my life set in motion. Promised to a man before I turned…[...]

The Full Moon Treatment

"I will be recording our sessions. This is a requirement by the state." The scrawny man with the whispers of gray in his hair pressed the record button on his…[...]

My Cherry Blossom

We walk side by side down the long crosswalk, the cool wind gently disarranging our hair as we look at the beauty of the cherry blossoms surrounding us. I look…[...]

Trigger WarningsSuicideDrunk Driving (mentioned)DeathSubstance Abuse Goodbye“Hello, Michelle? It’s me Cindy. It’s Aurora, she’s in the hospital-”“Which one?”“Toronto General- “I was already out the door, barely even remembering to grab my…[...]

The Overwhelming Responsibility of Coming Home

Colin shovels nondescript casserole onto his plate, the spoon clanking on the ornate china. The sound seems to echo for ages in the stuffy wood-paneled kitchen.“Sorry,” he mumbles behind a…[...]

Heirs of the Hidden

Fridays that land on the 13th of the month are always charged with unexplainable energy in the fall. Well, unexplainable to those who don’t understand magic. See, all the energies…[...]

I’m Sorry

CW: This story contains themes and/or references to transphobia and suicide It wasn't supposed to be this way. I know everyone says that when something bad happens to them—the kind…[...]

The sailor

I was lying awake in bed but my alarm had not rung yet. I really wanted to fall asleep again because it had taken me ages to fall asleep and…[...]

The Candlewatch Bay Lost Post Office

Dear Anna, Thank you for your application. We are delighted to offer you a position as our Day Postmaster here at the Candlewatch Bay Lost Post Office. Please find your…[...]

Remains

Prompts: Write a story about goodbyes without using the words “goodbye,” “bye,” or “farewell.” & Write a story in which the first and last sentences are exactly the same. There…[...]

The Blind Box

Carly wasn't obsessed, per se. She was just having fun. It was a silly little hobby.She would head down to the mall every weekend and start hunting. Some might call…[...]

Everyone Loved Bernie

Nora hated the winter, but she hated this winter most of all. This winter took Bernie away so this winter she hated more than any of the seventy-eight that had…[...]

The Weekend

CW: Mature themes and implications of suicide. Alex closed his eyes and listened to the sound of the surf. He had come onto the beach to take a break from…[...]

Meet Me in Tampa

"So, that's it, huh?" I'll pretend to be more upset when you reply. I'll be distraught. I can be torn up inside when you say “I'm so sorry. I never…[...]

Renewal

CW: Grief, illness, death It left a bitter taste in his mouth. There was nothing worse than over-extracted coffee, when you drank it dark. Micah pulled a stick of gum…[...]

The House that Death Broke Into

NOTE: this story deals with themes of death, grief, and the passing of a loved one.-------------------------“Goodbye,” It sighed, reading the single word on the ironically named welcome mat at the…[...]

Walking Past Her Smile

The first thing I fell for was her smile. I walked into the warmly lit restaurant in a blush dress carrying a tin of homemade white chocolate-covered strawberries. She’d mentioned…[...]

Welcome to Manhattan Kid!

I can’t believe I’m doing this but I keep having this feeling that I can do anything.———————————————————Dear F, I thought about him again - his lustful style, the way he…[...]

The Stonemason

He wore tights that were either naturally brown or were covered in grime. The tunic and apron he wore over it were equally dusty, and Izzy was sure that if…[...]

Daughter, Daughter

Mothers are supposed to love their children. It's just how it's meant to be. The sun rises every day, grass is green, and mothers love their children.But sometimes it's dark…[...]

Cute stop from the cold

"Probably you have a pet in this cozy place?"- I then asked while looking over at the snow falling softly from the sky. It was a sunny day in the…[...]

The Silence of Snow

There is a certain silence in the world when it’s snowing... the sky is a milky grey, and the snow, seemingly endless, gently blankets the ground.I lay in the snow,…[...]

When the snow falls

Mary sat in her apartment, deflated, unable to sleep.It was almost midnight.The icy cold of winter crept into her poorly insulated apartment and she wrapped herself up tightly inside a…[...]

More Than Friends

Leena Moss didn't see this coming.And she's always been very perceptive.She knew she had cancer at seven, despite her parents trying to dance around the word. She knew her parents…[...]

Of Flowers and Frost

"May our love be everlasting." The voice of Lily Hopea's mother would always hum those precious words in her mind, taking her back to an amiable Christmas day spent with…[...]

Your Name in Lights

CW: Mature themes and suicidal ideation In Jewish mythology, a dybbuk is a malicious spirit, believed to be the soul of a deceased person. The term first appeared in a…[...]

It’s a Harsh World

CW: Themes of physical violence, abuse, suicidal ideation and mental health. The wind tossed my hair and I stared at the intersection. I could go left and head home, but…[...]

Bon Appétit Jason

A warm glow filled Jason as he paid his portion of the dinner bill. There was no need for him to calculate a tip; he was in a generous mood…[...]

Savoring Life, Savoring Death

Savoring Life, Savoring Death Zorana knew that this was the highlight of Mrs. Maeve Albury’s week, but they both knew by now to take their time with it. Besides, Zorana…[...]

The Brown Corduroy Pants

There weren't many options for a lonely trans man to find a date in a small town, so once upon a time, Locke decided to add himself to the dating…[...]

Crown my King

Once upon a time, in the Kingdom of Ataraxia, widely known for its remarkable agricultural production, in addition to the domain’s breathtaking scenery. An esteemed king resided in the heart…[...]

Perfection

Once upon a time, there lived a sculptor who was famous for his life like sculptures. He was sought out by kings and nobles alike to immortalize their likenesses in…[...]

A Promise to the Sun

TW: Hints of violence, war, and death. SEND TO: Captain Amara Thorpe, 3rd Squadron, Royal Dragon Legion Captain,They say you left. Even as I write this, I struggle to come…[...]

Charlie’s Closet

Charlie never feared her closet the way most children do.To her, it was a wondrous place; a kingdom where imagination ruled and magic existed.Sometimes, she'd pretend it was a way…[...]

A Web

I remembered the moment I killed him with utter clarity. This was how I knew the memory was real.Fabricated memories are often emotional and vague, deteriorating or changing with remarkable…[...]

Pits and The Patriarchy

“Well, I wasn't expecting that,” Margot says as the olive pit she spit out rolls across the marble floor.“You should know by now that in this family, you must always…[...]

The Mechanic

[CW: LANGUAGE] One rusty screw was all it took to end the lives of sixty passengers and four crew members on flight 2137. Sixty four lives ruined, sixty five if…[...]

Waiting

It’s 9:54AM, and I’m waiting.For the meeting that feels six minutes away even though I have an extra fifty etherally uncounted for. I have everything going for me in my…[...]

The Disappearance of Low Tea

“Oh, I’m sorry!” she exclaimed as her cup of tea brushed against mine by accident. Her words took my breath away. It had been a while since I had been…[...]

the vibes are here and nothing else

Laughter erupts, bubbling and bright, into his room from outside. The sound is familiar. It sounds like Renée. M finishes tightening the knot on his tie and gives himself a…[...]

A Quiet Night and Quiet Sips

TW: near drowning mention, past character death, swearing Azrael stared at the ceiling fan as it spun lazily above him. He sighed to himself for what felt like the millionth…[...]

The Melancholy of Misaligned Stars

{Warning: Broken bones and Major Character death up ahead.} Nicholas. His name is Nicholas, and he’s the love of my life. I’ve loved him since the first time I saw…[...]

I’ll Say Something Next Time

Author’s Note: This piece contains themes of emotional and spiritual abuse, religious trauma, homophobia, and references to self-harm and death (metaphorical)I would give anything to be like him. Loud. Radiant.…[...]

Three Minutes of Freedom

Ten minutes to noon, until our precious three minutes of privacy. It's the only time the Protectorate closes their eyes... and I've yet to decide how to spend it.The air…[...]

Canary

Snap. Alex awoke with a jolt and a deep groan as pain nicked at the twisted knot in his neck; the result of sleeping, curled awkwardly in the front seat…[...]

Is it me or is it me ?

Can I tell you what happened to me yesterday? Ok so I woke up around 1:30 in the afternoon. I know you’re judging me but listen my circadian rhythm was…[...]

Ladybug

I'm headed to the bar for another drink when I see her. I can feel the bass reverberating in my bones and the droplets of sweat rolling across my skin…[...]

105 Degrees: A Hoodie Day

105 degrees out; 90% humidity; no AC until the bus arrived.It was a hoodie day.The streams of sweat that drained down the middle of my back screamed otherwise. The black…[...]

The Anniversary

The restaurant was too bright, Claire thought. Everything was too bright—the white tablecloths, the chrome fixtures, the afternoon sun streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows. Her mother had chosen this place. Of…[...]

Corkscrew

CW: Physical violence, gore or abuse, prostitution I thought I’d find him near the Corkscrew. A pair of overalls and a t-shirt that showed some of my waist. A five…[...]

Reheated Prose

Content note: sex, drugs, swearing, mental ill health (stress, anxiety, self-image).7.34pm‘So Prof M is brandishing his coffee and pronouncing some shit about how this prose only has meaning when you…[...]

Revenge of the Sea

*Trigger Warning: Physical violence and substance abuse.* “How sure are we of this plan?” Jonesy asks, eying the collection of rune carved bones, twigs, and pebbles he had cast onto…[...]

Waiting For The End Credits

She hadn’t meant to come back.Not really.But the world stopped caring if she stayed,and the winding road homeStarted playing the gamewhispering her name. The streets were familiar.The names hadn’t changed.But…[...]

The Anniversary Present

Step One. Remove the tea and the mug from the cupboard. Place them on the counter below.The blue bag, labelled 'Cherry Bakewell', sits somewhere near the back of the cupboard,…[...]

Don’t Worry, It Improves With Age

Bernie watches the kettle, anticipating the high-pitched ring. She doesn't want to alert her flat mates she’s home. She remembers a cacophony of laughter drifting from upstairs as she opened…[...]

Another God

CW: Hate speech Another God Letters to Lundy: Whenever Daddy’s squeaky truck pulled into the driveway from work, fear washed over me like being doused with a pitcher of ice…[...]

Sororization

I’m slumped on my desk, one hand around my piping hot cup of coffee, when the elevator doors open and Lane steps out onto the office floor. She stands fully…[...]

Man’s Best Friend

To be completely honest with you, as a rule, I usually don’t care for men. There are of course exceptions to the rule: Grandpa for one, Leo at A Dog’s…[...]

Champagne and Mint

Casey bounced his leg through the entire ceremony, his mind on champagne. The wedding was so perfect it was almost tacky. Tears streamed down Aimee’s cheeks from the moment she…[...]

Plane To See

TW: Some homophobia. I sigh and heave my bag into the overhead.I look down and I’m stunned, then the person behind me asks, “If you’re done, may you please sit…[...]

Someone You Used to Love

The air is cool, sharp on the trails of tears that run down Alice’s face. She wipes them away, spreading the cold onto her hands. There had been a snow…[...]

Chasing Maybe

Fluorescents buzzed overhead, while I squeezed another avocado and sighed. “How do you even know if you’re ripe?”I set the rock masquerading as an avocado back down with its friends…[...]

Therevin’s Journeyman and The Colors of the Forest

TW: Grief My phone rings. I look to see Thomas’ Mom calling. She knows he and I broke up. Should I let the machine get it?After the third ring, I…[...]

In Good Company

There are three kind of cadets. The tough guys, who swagger around intoxicated by their own bravado. They have wet dreams about guns and wielding power that only a weapon…[...]

The Conversation Never Had

Letter 1: From A to Z Hey GorgeousAfter midnight, Long Street was a river of neon and noise.Bass climbed the walls of that nightclub like ivy, shaking loose the parts…[...]

My Dearest Alice

November 12, 1883My Dearest Alice, I am writing to you because our dreams are finally to come true. Everything is in place now. I have been growing foxglove in secret…[...]

Love, Sam

September 5, 2010 Dear Katie, I’m so sorry, but I have to go. I can’t stand I know things have been hard this year. I wish it could’ve been different.…[...]

Aisle Seven

I ran into Makena in aisle seven at Trader Joe’s, which felt like the least romantic place on earth to have your entire nervous system reboot. Trader Joe’s is designed…[...]

Sure Footed Love

CW: References to homophobic language and sexual content. May 7th, 1918 My Dearest Alice ~ I’m at a loss with what to do about Clarence. He’s been such a special,…[...]

Still Her

The conference badge around Jaleesa’s neck felt heavier than usual. Maybe it was the lanyard digging into her skin, or maybe it was the weight of the room itself—the hum…[...]

Us

Hey, I just wanted to talk to you one last time. Not that it is possible for something like that. I just hope this letter will do. I have been…[...]

For Sarah

Tuscaloosa, Alabama - 1873 I had meant it when I promised to be good. Promised to follow the rules. Promised that I wouldn’t be so reckless. Promised that I would…[...]

Ember & Ice

The heat was already climbing when I reached the fruit stand on Alvarado, the kind of LA morning where the air feels preheated, like the city woke up inside an…[...]

Prince Cupid and the Sun

The clearing was filled with the sweet scent of wildflowers, and the trees whispered in the spring breeze. The birds chittered to one another, gossipping as birds do. Two young…[...]

Pretty Girl

Content warning: the following includes vague references to sensitive mental health topics. Specifically, there are references to self-harm, emotional and physical spousal abuse, non-monogamy, and the ending of a loving…[...]

Sky, 1993

In my second year at university — 1993 — there was a girl in my German literature class who seemed not so much mysterious as self-contained.Sara Gupta.Half Indian. Dark brown…[...]

Everyone’s Beach

CW: Sexually suggestive content One morning, we hitched a ride to a cafe dimpled in the bustle of the square, artfully laid tables decorating the cobblestone outside and vines crawling…[...]

Memento Mori

It's suffocating.Like something is tearing my lungs apart and crushing them with bare hands.I feel like scratching out of my own skin and flesh until only my bones remain. Someone's…[...]

The Indent

A man stands before me, not paying attention to me at all, with lovely dark hair that holds soft curls and just a hint of silver. His eyes crinkle as…[...]

Transition

CW: Mental health It was a wet, windy Boston day. Charlie was on his way to meet an old friend at a twenty-four hour diner, the kind with the fresh…[...]

Watermelons

CW: implied abusive relationship; stalking. Hannah’s fingertips sweep over the ice as her knee bends to absorb her impact. She smiles up at me, skates cutting across the rink to…[...]

Dandy

Jason took the hammer out of his cart and slotted it back on the rack. The itch under his shoulderblade came back. He contorted his arm under the bright red…[...]

A love story

I opened the door to find the only girl who would talk with me during vacation classes. I never thought I’d see her again, yet here she was. Apart from…[...]

Go Down with the Captain

He had warned the captain about the storm.Red streaks of clouds tore across the morning sky like an open sword wound. It was just as they had been the night…[...]

All Will Be Forgotten

I didn’t mean to shoot the gun. You have to believe me, it was all a tunnel-vision induced accident. A terrible, misfortunate accident that I will pay for until my…[...]

The Question

As I waited for her in the hot sun in front of the cinema, the question became harder to ignore. We had both danced around it these past days. When…[...]

Tea with Aphrodite

*Sensitive Content - Story Discusses Death, Depression and Grief* The table sat untouched. A layer of dust blanketed the glass topper, and its upholstered chair anchored to the floor. Yet…[...]

Haldi

Vani can’t feel her hands anymore. They belong to the artist now, her scrutiny as petrifying as Medusa’s serpents while henna glides across her palms. Once cool and wet in…[...]

People!

People.People!There are people everywhere. They go about their days with faces that always say one thing when their minds say another. The discrepancy is so vast that it is unsettling.…[...]

I never miss

Today's the day. Today is the day I've been looking forward to it all my life. So why am I so nervous? I have my dress perfectly picked out, my…[...]

The Monster

It’s here. Sorry I couldn’t warn you sooner, I just found out. The ominous text lit up the dark apartment like a sliver of moonlight, pearly yet dreary. This particular…[...]

The Witch’s Lock and Key

“Let's see... where do I begin?” Arthur mused. “Perhaps I should start with the fact my father is a tyrannical maniac who cares more about power and image than his…[...]

Necrosol Brown

At the funeral, you let her wipe her tear-streaked cheeks on your red wool sweater. When she moves away, the wet spots she leaves in her wake are no longer…[...]

Failed Bunny

I sat in my quiet bedroom with my chihuahua–Gucci Vuitton. My PC sat on the nightstand. Before I opened it, I already knew what it would say. No notifications. No…[...]

Did Aliens Attack?

July 10th 2022, Noah:The desert is harsh, peaceful, and beautiful. It is also the perfect place to harbor the remains of extraterrestrials that crashed on Earth in 1947. That fact…[...]

An Untold Story of Personal Horror

An Untold Story of Personal Horror It was the evening of 23 December 2000. Two nights before Christmas. Sydney was warm and alive. Oxford Street shimmered under neon light, shop…[...]

i’ll be seeing you- billie holiday

Dance was what made Matteo feel the most alive.When it was him, and music slipped so effortlessly from Lukas's lips as his foot tapped a rhythm, the faint sound of…[...]