Star Runners Omnibus

Chapter 9

7

“I thought it seemed like a fine school.”

“I suppose,” Austin replied, looking at the community college’s campus as they drove away.

“I know they don’t have a baseball team,” Mom continued, her voice rising, “but they have intramurals you could play when you’re not working.”

Austin sighed. She had been attempting to improve his mood all morning. The orientation at his new college had been a snooze fest. Speakers started the day with lame jokes followed by even worse attempts at pretending to be excited about the new school year. Some in the audience laughed, but most flipped through information packets or remained buried in their smart phones or tablets. Austin would be taking three classes: college algebra, U.S. history, and biology.

Mom had worked hard to get him this chance, and he knew it. Perhaps everyone was right about this school being a stepping stone. Perhaps he would go on to bigger and better things. Acing his courses here could lead to a scholarship to a state or Ivy League school.

The financial aid representative said they did not provide grants for would-be baseball players, which came as no surprise. He didn’t participate in any clubs, didn’t have any other extracurricular activities, and didn’t have a high grade point average. Austin felt like a paying customer, not like a valuable addition to their school.

However, he qualified for a number of different loans, all of them with high interest. He wouldn’t have to pay them back until he graduated, but faced a staggering amount of debt later. Mom stayed positive but mentioned they should start saving now.

He opened his orientation packet and glanced at the flyer on campus safety, but he kept thinking about his Star Runners’ score. When Josh excelled in the game he was whisked off to California to attend a prestigious private school, so difficult to gain admission it was nearly a complete secret. Austin had surpassed Josh’s score last week and had still heard nothing. His expression darkened. He thought of Josh on the beach with gorgeous girls swimming in the Pacific. He thought of Kadyn in Savannah attending the art school of her dreams.

“Want some ice cream?” Mom interrupted his thoughts.

“Sure.”

As the chocolate ice cream melted in his mouth, Austin let his thoughts drift to school.

“I can get the mail,” he said as they turned onto their street.

Finishing the rest of the cone in one large bite, Austin hopped out of the car at the end of the driveway. He pulled back the mailbox door and paused. A glossy, blue packet topped the pile of mail. Austin swallowed the last piece of the ice cream cone as he stared at the packet. It felt cool to the touch as he slipped it out of the mailbox.

A sleek silver line stretched across the top of the dark blue. Austin’s reflection gleamed in the glossy finish. He turned it over. On the opposite side, a bright silver emblem with a sword in the center glistened in the afternoon sunlight. The word “Tizona” appeared under the emblem in a solid font as if it had been carved into the packet.

Austin’s brow crinkled in thought. He had never heard the word “Tizona” before, but the silver sticker at the bottom of the packet had his name on it. Clenching his jaw, he slid his finger under the dark blue tape sealing the packet and pulled it back.

The right side of the packet contained a small stack of papers and pamphlets. He looked past the business card with the shiny sword symbol to the business letter on the left side of the packet. A silver sword letterhead gleamed at the top of the page. His name and address were below the symbol. He read the first words:

Mr. Austin Stone,

We would like to congratulate you on being selected as a candidate for a full scholarship to the prestigious Tizona School of Excellence…

Austin slapped the packet on his thigh and screamed. He glanced around to see if anyone heard and ran back to the house. His heart raced as he sprinted into the garage. He smashed into Mom on the way.

“What is it? Are you okay?” she asked.

“Am I okay? Look!” He jabbed the packet into her face.

She jumped back and laughed. “What in the world?” she asked and started reading. “Oh, my God!”

“I did it, Mom! I did it!”

He threw his arms around her neck and squeezed.

“Austin, honey, let’s not get too excited, yet. We need to look into this first.”

Austin nodded. He didn’t even know where Tizona was located. What type of school is it? What did any of this mean?

“I know,” he said. “It’s just...I never thought I would get a letter like this.”

She touched his shoulder. “I know, honey. Come on, let’s go inside and give this thing a look.”

Austin glanced at the clock for the tenth time, the anticipation building with every minute that passed by. The recruiter for the Tizona School of Excellence, Jonathan Nubern, would be arriving any minute. Nubern’s card listed a number and nothing else. It hadn’t seemed strange to Austin until Mom pointed it out. She also mentioned the packet contained vague information about the “greatness” of the school and provided no substance.

“It’s all icing without the cake,” she had said.

Small plates surrounded butter cookies on the coffee table and freshly brewed coffee simmered in the kitchen. For the first time since graduation, Austin wore khaki pants and a button up shirt.

Mom sat across from him and studied the packet. She wore a dress with red and blue flowers. She’d gone to the salon yesterday to get her hair done, and topped off the ensemble with her favorite jewelry. Austin stared at the golden dolphin necklace Dad had given her.

He smiled, but it faltered. Dad should be here.

The doorbell rang. Austin inhaled and, for a moment, he and his mother just looked at each other.

Mom laughed. “I think someone’s at the door.”

Austin stood, took one last look in the mirror, flattened his hair, and hurried to the front door. The recruiter stood on the front porch and stared into the front yard with his back to the house.

He took a breath and opened the door.

The recruiter, dressed in a dark blue suit and a crisp white shirt, turned around. He tucked a blue packet identical to the one Austin had received under his arm. He smiled and reached out his hand. “Austin Stone?”

Austin clasped the man’s hand in a solid handshake. “Yes, sir.”

“Jonathan Nubern,” he said in a deep voice. He studied Austin with steel gray eyes and a slender face. “I am with the Tizona School of Excellence. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Pleasure to meet you as well.” Austin turned and gestured toward the house. “Would you like to come in?”

“Yes, of course.”

Nubern strolled into the living room. He nodded to Mom and offered his hand. “Good afternoon, ma’am.”

“Mr. Nubern. Welcome to our home. I’m Eileen, Austin’s mother.”

She led them to the living room where the coffee and butter cookies awaited. The trio sat around the table. Mom smiled as they settled. Silence passed for a moment as Nubern crossed his leg and produced a black tablet from his pocket. He placed it on his lap before raising his gaze to Austin’s.

Austin stared into Nubern’s gray eyes before reaching for a butter cookie. When he looked back, Nubern continued studying him.

“Well,” Mom said as if to break the odd quiet hanging over the room like a morning fog, “we are looking forward to hearing about the school.”

Austin glanced at Mom.

“Why do you want to attend Tizona?” Nubern asked, his voice steady and deep, almost robotic.

“I, ah, have heard it is an excellent school.”

“That’s implied in the name. I want to know why you want to attend.”

Austin shifted in his seat and stared at the ceiling for a second. “I want to go to college.”

“Why?”

“I want an education.”

Nubern leaned forward on his knees, his eyes fixed on Austin. “And why, might I ask, would you like an education?”

He folded his arms over his chest and exhaled. “Because I want more than a dead end job. I want to do something with my life. I think there has to be more.”

The corner of Nubern’s mouth raised slightly. “That is wonderful to hear, Mr. Stone.”

He made a note in his tablet before looking up. When he did, his expression had softened, and his shoulders raised. “An education is exactly what I have to offer you. Even though the semester starts in two weeks, we always hold open a few spots for students that might have been missed in our normal admissions process. We are very proud to offer you this chance at a secondary education. However, this is more than the normal college experience. You are going to experience an entirely new way of life, a new way to view the world.”

“Can you tell us a little about the program?” Mom asked as she poured a cup of coffee for Nubern.

“Of course, Mrs. Stone.”

“Please call me Eileen.” She handed over the mug of steaming coffee.

“Of course.” Nubern took the mug and nodded. He took a long, slow sip before continuing.

“First, Tizona is a boarding school. There are other schools throughout the world that are a part of our program. I will start with the basics every potential student and parent wants to hear: There is no leaving the school campus except during certain designated times. We feel it is important to become saturated with the culture of Tizona in order to be successful.”

“Sounds like a military school,” Mom said with a shrug.

“Mom!”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” she said. “Are you, Mr. Nubern, associated with the military?”

Nubern held up his hand. “It is a fair assumption and we get this question often. We have no desire to take the place of your West Point or the Naval Academy or any other military institution. No, our schools offer discipline and order with the goal of sharpening our students into successful members of society.”

He turned to Austin. “Any idea of your chosen field of study?”

“No, not yet.”

“That is fine. At Tizona, you will be given the chance to choose any manner of study. Our graduates have gone on to become CEOs of major companies, NASA engineers, scientists, and many other occupations. There is no limit to your potential at this school. You will, without a doubt, receive the greatest education available on this planet. Afterward, I can guarantee you will make a difference you cannot begin to fathom.”

Austin and his Mom exchanged a brief smile.

“What about cost?” she asked.

Austin tensed. The memory of the community college and the nightmare of financial aid came into his mind.

“There would be no cost,” Nubern said as he drank from the coffee mug. His eyebrows raised. “Delicious.”

“Oh, thank you,” she said, her face turning a shade of red. “Did I hear you right? There would be no cost?”

“I cannot exactly say ‘no cost’ since you will have to expend gasoline to get to the school, but the actual education will cost you nothing. If traveling to the school is an expense your family cannot handle, certain arrangements can be made to secure transport to the school.”

Mom’s mouth dropped open, and she stared at Austin.

Austin broke the awkward pause. “So I will get a degree for free?”

Nubern’s face hardened. “There are certain requirements to grant your ability to stay at the school, but there will be no cost. Books, meals, your room, and tuition will be fully covered. However, you will be on probationary status for the first semester. During that time, you will be indoctrinated into our expectations and culture. We require all first years to maintain a high level of physical activity and standards. I understand you are an athlete?”

“I played for the baseball team.”

“Excellent. You should not find our physical expectations difficult. Regular physical training will be part of your daily routine. A sharp mind is infinitely more effective when the body is at peak condition. Following your successful completion of the first semester, you will be granted full access to the school for the remainder of your four years. If the school does not meet your expectations after the first semester or you fail to meet any of these requirements, you will be sent home with no charge to your family.”

Nubern studied his tablet. “I should also mention you will have full access to the Internet, both in your room and in the common areas. Technology is an integral aspect of the learning process and is also important for maintaining contact with your family.”

“What is the expected class load?” Mom asked.

Nubern rubbed his hands together and cracked his knuckles. “Actually, Eileen, we like to keep the details of our education techniques quiet at this stage. Each curriculum load is tailored to the individual student. The first semester will contain orientation courses and basic core curriculum classes. Math, science, you understand. Once past the orientation stage, the courses will become more focused and will highlight and enhance your son’s potential.”

“This all sounds very impressive, I have to admit,” Mom said. “Do you have any questions, Austin?”

“Can you tell me a little about the campus?”

“Of course. The campus is located about forty-five minutes south, southwest of Savannah, on a secure property that spans several hundred acres.”

“Is there anything there, like a city or something?”

Nubern stared at Austin without blinking. “You are asking if there is anything to do on campus? I assure you; you will not have idle time. Your courses and training will keep you busy.” He leaned back. “But if you are asking about the community, the school is self-sufficient and does not require the assistance of the outside world. There is no city or town. The school campus is surrounded by forests and swampland. We feel it is important to create your world view and focus on your potential. To do that, there must be no distractions.”

It did sound like a military school. “You said there were other schools in your program out there. Would I be able to transfer to another school if I wanted?”

“I am going to be up front with you, Mr. Stone. The openings at our schools are extremely limited. We only allow a very few into the program and even less remain in the program past the probationary semester. With that being said, granting a student transfer to another school is usually not allowed.”

Austin nodded.

Nubern looked at him. “I think we have gone over everything I have come here to present. I am driving back to Tizona tonight. Please call the number on my card if you have any questions. I am leaving this packet for your use, but you will be able to complete all of the registration online. Since this is a full scholarship, registration will be relatively easy, and you will not have any financial aid entanglements. We will need to hear back from you by next week in order to secure your spot for the upcoming school year.”

Mom blinked. “So soon?”

“It is common during a late recruitment such as this.”

“Well all right then.”

They stood and shook hands.

Thoughts of being at a new school and in a different life in two weeks fluttered around Austin’s mind.

“Thank you for coming all this way to speak with us,” Mom said.

“It has been a pleasure, Eileen.”

“Thank you, Mr. Nubern.”

Nubern stood in the front doorway and faced Austin. “I meant what I said, Austin. You call me if you have any questions. Tizona wants you, and I believe you would benefit from our school. Please think about it. Ma’am, have a wonderful evening. I look forward to hearing from you.”

“There’s just something off about this whole thing.”

Austin listened and leaned back into the couch. A few butter cookies remained on the table. Coffee turned a milky brown in cooling mugs. The light outside the living room windows transitioned from gold to indigo. Nubern’s packet remained on the table where he had left it, his business card still on top.

“It might be the only way I’ll go to college without getting into debt,” Austin said, looking out the front window.

Mom sighed. “But did you hear what he said? It sounded like a military school. No visitors and you would only be allowed to leave at designated times. The physical requirements. I don’t know how I feel about that. I don’t know how you would feel about that.”

Austin stood and moved over by the window. “But what if this is a chance that won’t come again? It’s a free scholarship, Mom. It’s not like other schools are lining up to take me.”

“But Roxanne said Josh’s school is one of these schools of excellence and look what happened to him.”

Austin glared at her. “You’ve talked to Mrs. Morris about this?”

Mom looked at her hands. “I asked her what the Lobera school experience had been like for her and her family; you even said yourself Josh was different.”

“And you said college makes people act differently sometimes. That’s all this is.”

She stood, her dress swaying as she paced the floor in front of the coffee table like a politician waiting on election results. “I just think we shouldn’t rush this. You should wait for a school that you want to go to and not one that simply happened to come find you. What if you hate it?”

He stepped toward her. “Mom, if I hate it I’ll come home. Mr. Nubern said there would be no charge if it didn’t work out the first semester, and I’ll be home by Christmas. I can even ask Mr. Snell to hold my job open until we decide if I can stay at the school or not. There’s nothing to lose.”

“You want this so bad,” she whispered, touching his face.

Austin nodded. “I do. I always have. I have to do this.”

“What if you don’t come back? What if you disappear like Josh did? Roxanne said he was supposed to come home several times this summer and never did.”

Austin smiled and reached for her hands. “You know that won’t happen. I’m doing this for us. If I don’t try it, I’m going to regret it. And Dad would have wanted me to go.”

She tilted her head. “That’s not fair bringing your father into this, but you’re right. He would have been so proud of you.”

Shrugging her shoulders, she wandered over to the bookcase displaying photos of their lives. Her gaze lingered on a photo of Austin as a baby, his father guiding him as he crawled across the living room floor. Austin looked down at the same beige carpet and thought of the times he had chatted with Dad about baseball, video games, and school.

“My little boy had to grow up some day, I guess.” Her brow crinkled, her lips pursed. “This is hard for me, but you know how proud I am of you, don’t you?”

Austin nodded his head. “I know. It’ll be fine.”

“Well,” she said, rubbing her hands together, “I guess we’ve got some work to do if we’re going to have you ready by next week.”

He leaned forward. “So I can go then?”

“Of course you can.”