The Writer's Contest Club discussion

This will start at midnight today (28th of June). Watch for poll results. Follow the rules. Keep it to the Romance genre, I don't care about the subgenres you add. Have fun! Write!
This contest will actually end in two weeks, though (3rd of July). You can enter anytime between now and then. It doesn't matter. The poll will be set up after the Fourth of July, for reasons of occupied lived and likely many family visits.

Sorry! I forgot to announce:
Write a romance short story with one of the characters being given a perky trait.
Have fun!

Stories are due today at midnight! Please submit!
Also, let me know if you need the deadline to be extended. If we only have one entry or less, I might give everyone an extra week. I'm open to any questions/comments/concerns/all of the above that you might have.
Thank you!

I think that's a yes...
ONE MORE WEEK TO ENTER THE COMPETITION, EVERYBODY!

I really want to try but this is my first time writing a romance story so bear with my atrocious story please😅

HOPE
By Rose

"Hey, gorgeous. Nice day, huh?" She groaned automatically at the sound of his voice.
"For the ten thousandth time, James, I do not want to have ANYTHING to do with you!!" She said, pulling strands out of her hair in exasperation.
"We'll see." He said, a hearty laugh warming the air around him tremendously but she remained emotionless.
~
He was the fire among them. The only one who had the nerves to remain cheerful after being stranded for this long.
~
She was the ice just like the majority. The endless mountains stretched into infinity and she hated it with passion. Three months, the words replayed in her head, inklings of hope dotting her mind instantly. "Stop it. No one will come." She hardened her face, her frosty demeanor taking over...Again.
~
Another had died. She heard the moans first before anyone else.
"Help me. I-I can't br-breathe." The kid whimpered, clutching her hands like a lifeline. It was the cold, she thought. The air was thin up there, there's no way the kid would survive.

"Wh-what happened to you." The pitiful voice was already weakening to a faint mumble. "Why-why would you abandon your soul?" The sorrowful eyes pierced her heart but she shook her head. They stared. And the eyes dimmed, the frail arms dropping to the hardened earth with a thud.

Why would she abandon her soul? She wondered in cold humour. Three months in the wild is enough to make one insane. Believed to be dead, supplies running lower and lower, rescue missions cancelled... Isn't this enough to make one lose hope?

"The child is innocent. Leave her be." She tried not to think about the child's words but they tormented her every single moment. Was she finally going mad just like the rest? Was she going to die in the whirling madness, craving for those she would never get?
~
"You look just like the sun! My ray of sunshine... What's the matter with you?" He stopped short as this was the first time she had not shouted at him.
"Gorgeous? Ariel?" Her name sounded weird coming from his lips. Weird but bringing him a warm fuzzy feeling from inside.

"How did you not lose your mind, James?" She sighed after a long silence. "How could you still be so...perky?"

"I'm not! I just force myself to smile because I'm afraid of going mad too. Just like the others. I'm damn scared too, Ariel. I know there is no hope out of here but I had to..." His eyes gleamed with tears all of the sudden. She gazed at his angular face, his twinkling eyes that was full of joy. Only now, she could see the great pain and fear of the unknown shoved deep down by layers of forced cheerfulness.
He wasn't annoying, he wasn't a plain idiot. That moment, he was beautiful.

Suddenly, as if pulled by an unknown force, she pulled his face close. Their lips crashed with sparks of fear, hope and most importantly, love.

"You are my fire, James. I want you to melt my soul."

"Always." He mumbled in content. The sun peeked timidly behind the suffocating fog. There was hope somewhere still and she knew in that moment that she won't be alone ever again. The ice in her soul would melt eventually and she wouldn't even care if she evaporates. As long as she is with him.

I hope I fulfilled your requirements. It's actually kinda fun to try new writing styles! Btw, can I have the link to your blog? I really want to read the previous stories! Thanks.

I love it! It's amazing! Thanks so much for entering!

Oh wow! That was so good!

Rose wrote: "I hope I fulfilled your requirements. It's actually kinda fun to try new writing styles! Btw, can I have the link to your blog? I really want to read the previous stories! Thanks."

I haven't been able to set up a group blog, yet. I want to, but I can't do it on this device, I guess.

Thanks guys. I really look forward to the next contest. This is super fun!!!

Okay. I'm almost done with what I'll enter, but I think we should extend the date to next Monday night, that way we might get a few more stories to vote on!

Heartbreak: A Romantic Short Story
By N. J. Jewkes (Sushie)
I'm fine with it being posted on the group blog

"WHAT?"
Will nods solemnly. "Don't try to change my mind. It won't work." He won't look at me as he tells me this, just stares out the window at the star-lit sky. I start to protest, then stop myself. I remember every demand, every need, every one-sided argument. Maybe they weren't as perfect as I wanted to believe.
I roll my eyes and groan, flopping back on the tousled sheets of my bed. "Fiiiine! But I don't have to like it."
Will looks at me now, and I see a hint of a smile tug his lips. "Thanks, ?June." He says. And I know he means it. Even if the smile never meets his eyes. Even if he doesn't seem to see me.
I smile back, sitting back up and holding my ankles. "No problem. If you need me for anything, just let me know."
Will comes and sits next to me on the bed. "That's sorta why I came." Will says. "I was wondering if you could be there, too. You know, if things get bad?"
"Of course." I hug him and I feel his arms numbly find my waist. But when I try to pull out, his arms don't let go. "Will?"
"Sorry." He says, choking on his words. He drops his arms and blinks.
"It's fine. I know this can't be easy." I say. Then I walk to the door. "Should we go, then?" Will nods and stands slowly, coming beside me. His hair is mussed and his eyes have purple bags. "It's gonna be okay." I assure him.
We exit my room and descend the flights of stairs to floor one. I walk out the apartment complex, opening the front doors for Will. We follow the Main Street all the way to Perkin's Park where I can already see Victoria sitting on one of the many benches.
"Vicky!" I run to her and hug her happily. Victoria hugs me back. "Hey there, June!" She says, hugging me back. She musses my long brown hair and I laugh. "Have you seen Wi-"
Will clears his throat from where he now stands, about a foot from the bench. "William!" Victoria cries, running to him and wrapping her arms round his neck. "Oh, Will. The dance ended over an hour ago." She pecks him softly on the nose. "I thought we had decided on eight. Where've you been?" Will barely blinks. He stands stiffly and emotionlessly as Victoria hangs from his neck. "Baby? I thought you hurt, or worse..." She says, stroking his hair.
Will remains silent.
Victoria's hands slip down his arms to his wrist. Her hands clench the wrists tightly and tears brim her eyes. "Talk to me. Quit this silent nonsense. I said eight, why weren't you there?"
Will remains silent.
Victoria threw his arms down and whirled away. I begin to worry and I skip to his side, giving his hand a tight squeeze. Tell her. I'm right here. Tell her.
Will's hand relaxes slightly and his eyes shift to Victoria now. You've got this. I think, letting go of his hand. I step away an inch or two.
"Victoria." Victoria looks at him, frowning. "I--we--need to break up." He says it so straightforward. No pity or regrets in his voice of stone.
"What?" Victoria screams, throwing her arms In the air. Her tears escape. I see them, glistening with the stars. "You cant! Y-you can't break up with me. We were meant for eachother.
"I'm sorry Vicky; I can and I am." He sounds anything but sorry.
I skip to Victoria this time, hugging her and smiling, "Its okay, Vicky, don't cry."
This is likely the worst thing I can tell her, and Victoria confirms it by whirling on me with a tear stained face. "It's your fault!" She screams, jabbing a finger at my chest. I back away, realizing what I'd done. "You were jealous of me. Of us, weren't you? I knew I shouldn't have trusted you. I never should have let you stay around!" I gulp and she drops to the ground, dress skirt puffing and deflating as she sits and buries her head in her hands.
I look at Will and he shrugs. "You don't care?" I ask.
His eyes hold a hint of guilt, but mostly relief. "Why should I care? She's been telling me what to do for almost two years. Let her suffer a little."
I step closer. "Will..."
He smiles and pulls me into an embrace. "I'm okay, June. It feels so good to be free." He rubs my back softly and pulls me closer. Against his chest. I feel his heart thumping with mine, in sync.
I swallow down the rising saliva nervously. "Will, what... what are you--" He pulls me up slightly, to his height and...
Kisses me.
His lips touch mine and light a spark inside me. My thoughts are scrambled. I'm so confused. I bring my hands to his shoulders and wrap them around his neck. I don't know what to do.
So I kiss him back.
It lasts one minute. Two minutes. Longer than I can count. It's weird to kiss, especially for your first time. I hold him and my thoughts finally click into place. I hear a girl weeping: Victoria? I remember where I am and why I am here.
I gasp against Will's lips and pull away, shocked. With both hands I push Will backward. "Get-get away from me!" I scream, crying. My breath are heavy and my gaze holds every emotion it can. I shake my head slowly, at loss for words. How could you?
I walk to Victoria and hold out a hand. She must be too tired and confused to remember she was angry at me, because she takes it. I help her up and leather lean on my shoulder to cry more. I put an arm around her shoulder and carry her away. But before I leave, I have to take one last look at Will. He hasn't moved, returned to his statue position, staring ahead blankly. But I see loss and hurt in his jaw. And I notice his hands clench and unclench repeatedly, leaving small red marks in his palm. I shake my head again and walk away with Victoria.
How could you.

Omg this is so good! I absolutely love this!!!

THAT WAS AMAZING !!!

Thanks guys!

The contest ends tonight at twelve! If anyone has another entry, please post, we'd love to read it!

POLL RESULTS:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...