Caleb could feel the plane begin its descent. He slowly awoke from his sleep and glanced out the window, still groggy. He couldn't believe the day finally arrived. The Seven Knights together again. That was the nickname he and his six friends became known as at El Rancho Rio High School in Los Angeles. Freshman through senior year they did everything together. The group was inseparable until that final summer after graduation. Then it was time to grow up.
Caleb stayed in LA and was a bartender at a popular nightclub downtown. He wasn't really sure what he wanted to do with life just yet. He was only 23; there was plenty of time for all that. Right now he just wanted to enjoy himself and the money he was making wasn't bad. He looked to his right and saw Jake still asleep in the middle seat. Jake was the martial artist of the group. He had trained in Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, and Taekwondo since he was a kid. After high school he decided to go pro and it paid off. In two months he'd be making his debut in the UFC in Las Vegas. Things were looking up for the kid. In the last seat in their row Carlos was listening to his iPod, mouthing lyrics to himself. Carlos was the musician, the heart throb of the group. Just after high school ended he formed a band with some guys he met at one of those hole in the wall bars where local musicians perform. They were good too. It didn't take long for them to move to more popular venues and now an agent had just approached them a few weeks ago about a possible record deal. The news was perfect timing to celebrate in Hawaii with his best friends from high school.
The pilot made the announcement to get ready for landing. Before they knew it they were on the ground and entering the baggage claim where their buddy, Nahele, was there to greet them. Nahele was from Honolulu originally, but his father took a job in Los Angeles the summer before he started high school. He quickly became friends with the other guys after trying out for football. After high school was over he decided to head back to Honolulu and spend his days riding the waves. He now owned his own surf shop and was enjoying life. It was his idea for the guys to come out to Hawaii for a week. This was the first time in five years the seven would be together again and they were now reaching that age where they had to take life seriously. It would be a trip to close that chapter of their lives before they officially moved on to adulthood.
"There he is!" Caleb shouted as they saw Nahele waiting for them with a big smile on his face by the baggage carousel.
Nahele stepped forward. They shook hands and then hugged each other and then he did the same with Jake and Carlos.
"Man, I've missed you guys," he said, "I've barely seen any of you over the past few years."
"Heh, you know me," Jake laughed, "always training. This is the first vacation I've taken in a while."
"I've been so busy with the band, man," Carlos jumped in. " Would have loved to come out here a few times, but it's so hard to find the time."
"It aight," Nahele replied, "you're in paradise now, brah. This week you guys get to leave all that shit back in LA and relax."
"Where are the others?" Caleb asked.
"They're back at the beach house chillin," Nahele said. "Ariel got in this morning and James and Tyler flew in from New York last night."
"Well who the hell wants to hang around here? Let's check out this sweet pad you rented for us," Jake said.
"You're gonna love it," Nahele said, "Trust me guys, this is going to be an epic week. Nothing is going to ruin this for us"