“Tonight was the night.” Jack thought as he faked being asleep. The 13 year old boy was ecstatic. He had received an invitation to a free amusement park that only boys and girls of his age were allowed to visit. The only stipulation was that his parent couldn’t know. Well that was just fine with him. An entire week away from school on an island off the coast of Brazil? Yes please. He’d deal with the fallout when he returned.
He was to meet the car that would take him to the port at midnight. At 11:30 he quietly snuck out of his house, careful not to wake his parents. Running to an obscure bus stop, he got there with ten minutes to spare. He found several other kids his age there.
“Pleasure Island?” He asked. They all nodded happily.
One beautiful sandy haired girl extended a hand. “Allison. Good to meet you. What is your name?”
“Jack.” He replied. “So what do you know about this place?”
“Nothing except that it is billed as a park to leave your worries behind. I only wish it wasn’t just a week” Said Allison.
“You are telling me! Look the car is here!” Jack cried. Only it wasn’t a car. It was an old style stage coach, and it was huge. Pulled by donkeys, it came to a stop and a muscular man in a red coat smiled at them. “All aboard for Pleasure Island!” He said.
With a happy whoop the group of boys climbed aboard. Jack was so happy. A whole week away from school! The best part is, he was on his own with no one to tell him what to do!
Jack and Allison became quick friends on the stage coach. Apparently they went to the same school. “Hey Allison? You got...you know....any boys you are seeing? I was wondering if you wanted to go to a movie when we got back.” Jack blurted before he could stop himself. Allison looked at him in surprise. Jack slapped his forehead in embarrassment.
Allison gently pulled his hand off his forehead. “I don’t have a boyfriend if that is what you are asking.” She said simply and looked out the window. Jack stared slack-jawed at Allison. He’d just bluntly asked a girl out for the first time and she said yes!
Finally they arrived at the port. “No way! We take a cruise to get there!” Jack cried excitedly to Allison. The ship was massive, and it was full of kids their age. No adults, plus a ton of beer!!! The kids were going nuts.
“They weren’t kidding when they said no rules. Let’s go wild Jack!” Allison said happily. She received no argument from Jack. The new friends spent the trip all but bouncing off the walks. The only thing they didn’t partake of was the beer. They wanted to save the best for last. There would probably be plenty at the island. By the time the boat reached the island dawn was breaking, as was the boat. It had been wrecked by the mass of unruly kids. “We have arrived at Pleasure Island, go wild kids!”