Jake and Tom boarded the ship that was going to take them and others to the legendary island.
Tom reflected on their current situation. Both young men were 18 years old, it was summer and both were going away to college the following fall.
As the ship set sail, Tom sighed. He and Jake were going to different colleges. Tom worried that their friendship was going to come to an end.
Tom patting Jake on the back roused him from his thoughts.
"What's wrong bro?" Jake asked. "We're going to pleasure island! This place is supposed to be incredible!"
Tom nodded and faced Jake.
"Yeah, I know," Tom said. "It's just that, it feels like this is the end of our friendship. I know that we'll still be able to e-mail each other and stuff but it just won't be the same."
Tom wished he'd studied harder in school. Jake always had better grades, which had allowed him to get into a better college.
Jake nodded this time.
"I know what you mean," Jake said with a sigh. "But, this doesn't mean we *have* to grow apart."
"I guess not," Tom said. "So, how come you wanted to go to this place?"
"Besides the fact that it's legendary?" Jake asked.
Tom nodded with a grin.
"Well let's just say -- worst case scenario, our friendship *does* fade away once we go to college," Jake said.
"Er..."
"What I mean is, I want us to have a kick ass time this week end," Jake said. "Even if worst come to worst and this summer is our last summer as best friend, at least this can be like a going away party."
Tom nodded. "I see what you mean. Well, don't worry, I'm not going to buzz kill this weekend for us."
Little did Tom and Jake know that their journey to pleasure island had reduced their odds of going to college the following fall to almost zero.