MEPS info and a few questions on army......?

I am looking up ALOT of info because im trying to get started with joining the army, and its never to soon to look up stuff now is it? But anyways, i am plaining on talking to a recruiter next week and i want to go ahead and get the first trip of MEPS over with... With that being said, if i was to go to MEPS for the first trip this summer and swear in will I have to go directly to basic training like a few weeks later? I want to get MEPS over with before I go into my last year of highschool so that as soon as i am through with graduation I can go to MEPS for the second time and then off to basic.... Can I go to my first trip of MEPS this summer and wait to go to BCT after high school graduation? And will the recruiter or whoever pay for the plane ticket to my first trip to MEPS? because I looked at the nearest area where i live and its either Miami or Jacksonville Fl...... Please help!!! And any other tips or comments are helpful..... I am very excited and ready to be in the army... Thanks!