Polka Dots: A Short Story

by Mitchell S. Elrick

“This story is jam-packed with humor and surprises. A tale of college antics, the characters will have you laughing and looking for polka dots! A fun read about youth, friendship, and connection, in all its forms.”

In Polka Dots, two roommates-slash-best friends set out to help one get a date with the girl of his dreams on New Year's Eve.

Stan, an education major, has had a crush on one of his classmates, Olivia, all semester. He knows little about her, though, except that she has a very specific design on her JanSport Dark purple. Hot pink outlining. White background. They've never spoken, but he's very familiar with that backpack. He'd know it anywhere. Because where that backpack is, Olivia is.

As the semester draws to a close and holiday break approaches, Stan receives encouragement—and confusing advice—from Henry, his best friend, and gathers his courage to speak to Olivia, hoping to ask her out. The tables turn during their first conversation, though. Olivia invites Stan to a fundraiser she's organizing on New Year's Eve that includes an auction, and she wants a date with him to be one of the prizes.

With the ever-supportive, though sometimes majorly embarrassing Henry at his side, Stan anxiously but eagerly agrees to be part of Olivia's New Year's Eve event, hopeful that when the night comes to an end, Olivia will have placed the highest bid on a night out with him—and also fearful that perhaps no one will bid on him at all.

Henry would never let him live that down.




This story first appeared in Another Chance to Get It A New Year's Eve Anthology, released in November 2024 by And You Press, an imprint of Nicole Frail Books.

Genres: Romance

34 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 20, 2024

Reviews

[Gia ˖ . ݁𝜗𝜚. ݁₊ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lokey under welming 2⭐

[Ashley Goodwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a decent quick read!!

I enjoyed learning about his love and devotion to Podka Dots - but never would I imagined the ending being compared to 101 Dalmatians!!!

[lexi ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

not what i was expecting but not bad at all

it’s definitely a short story not long at all but i enjoyed it, i think henry’s character was awesome, stan was definitely awkward at times especially when liv was around but i love stan & henry’s friendship i also like how the story ended it wasn’t a romance that was rushed he kind of just let the story be & it was great. i liked that liv didn’t bid on stan & instead he went through a bit of that disappointment. he then had time to focus on himself & reflect & then liv comes back when the moment is right. i liked that.

[Allie Elrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book of 2024 - you laugh, you hope, and you root for Stan’s search for polka dots

[María Peláez García · Rating 2 out of 5]

creo que esta persona no entiende cómo funcionan las historias de romance

[Lauren Ruta · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a short story, this is probably one of the better ones that I have read so far.

This had a lot of humorous lines within the book which kept it interesting and kept the reader with the story.

At the start it felt like random pieces of information being added in, but at the end it all makes sense and I now understand the reason why it was written the way it was.

The ending is open to interpretation, which is nice for us to make up our own mind about what we read!

[Cameron Markway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Polk Dots is an extremely entertaining debut story that captures the essence of what it means to mature in life and love. The transitory college space, where to find romance requires more effort than high school but less effort than adult life, is painted with comical and endearing strokes. With well-timed humor, true-to-life characters, seamless dialogue, and an ending that leaves you wondering yet satisfied, Polka Dots is well worth taking time out of your day to read.

[Tay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know it’s only 34 pages long but it somehow still felt jumbled. The dialogue wasn’t terrible but the writing was a bit all over the place and it somehow felt both rushed and dragged out. I didn’t hate the read but I definitely wouldn’t read it again.

[Rose Grabowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of an awkward college student who has a crush on a fellow student and his outgoing roommate who is determined to help him. It's short and sweet with the meaning of the ending unclear.

[Ellen Trujillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet, hilarious, and enjoyable short story! Stan’s inner commentary throughout was so entertaining and relatable and the ending surprised me! I highly recommend picking this one up! ♥️

[Jenifer Ritzke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best short story I’ve read in recent history. Engaging and funny complete with mullet flip.

[Jacque Stroup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short! The story is so relatable and has the perfect dose of humor. A beautiful rom-com if you will.

[Anance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this sweet story! How far is this college sophomore willing to go to catch the attention of The ONE?

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grabbed this on a SYKD and no regrets. It was super short but very well developed and really cute. I wish I got a bit more in the end but you can’t have it all 💜

[M.K. McCollom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Read

The short story is funny, and a great read to take you away for a few minutes from everyday life.

[Lexi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really cute, felt a bit rushed when it got to the auction and I was a bit confused in the pseudo epilogue about a couple details.

[Desi Stowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun story!

This story had me laughing with its hysterical introspection and relatable themes. I'm looking forward to more from this author.

[Emma Kaiser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little short story! I enjoyed!