Minding Grace

1: Is it too much to ask for something great?

He watched the flames flicker as he sat outside around the makeshift drum with his friends, enjoying the warmth from the fire and the hum of chatter and laughter that surrounded him.

Another Saturday night.

Another party with fellow university students.

Someone threw another log into the drum, causing the fire to hiss and crackle.

The flames leapt high into the air and his gaze followed their climb towards the night sky until he became distracted by the smattering of stars.

He reclined back a bit in his deck chair, his neck resting on the back of it as he took a sip of his beer.

Harry had just graduated from his music studies course from the Royal Academy of Music at the University of London and he knew he should be on cloud nine having finished with top marks.

But he just felt like something was missing.

Like, was this it?

Was he missing out on something else out there?

He'd virtually spent the majority of his life studying and although he'd loved every second of it, he still felt unfulfilled.

And he never took the 'gap' year that a lot of his friends did and travelled, he was too focused on getting a head start on his studies and looking towards his future career.

He felt there was more out there to explore.

"Penny for your thoughts?" someone nudged his arm, rousing him from his thinking.

He sighed before answering.

"Don't you think there's more out there for us other than just this?" he mused, answering his friend Ryan.

"No seriously, Penny for your thoughts," he nudged him again, "she's headed your way mate."

He closed his eyes and inwardly groaned as he saw the girl in question making her way over to him and his friends.

Even with his eyes closed, he could feel her standing in front of him, the heat of the fire now blocked by her.

Penny was just a lot like all the other girls that attended the University and one of the ones that he'd casually hooked up with.

It worked for both of them and she actually was a really nice girl and they did get along well.

I mean, that was what you did at Uni right?

Worked your ass off to get the grades you wanted and let off steam and relaxed on the weekend with parties, girls and the odd drink?

Which is exactly where he was right now.

"Hey Harry," she said in a playful tone.

However, Harry wasn't really in the mood to hook up with Penny, or anyone for that matter tonight and he'd hoped his lack of enthusiasm regarding her would be enough of a hint.

She nudged his knee with hers and Harry reluctantly opened his eyes and took in the girl in front of him.

"Wanna take a walk?" she asked him.

She obviously didn't.

Harry watched as her two friends went and made themselves comfortable on his mates' laps, Ryan and James both grinned at Harry, clearly relishing the sudden good fortune that had presented themselves to the boys.

"I was kinda settled in here Penny," Harry replied, hoping she'd take the hint.

Instead, she bit down on her bottom lip and looked down coyly at him.