Free Star Runners by L E Thomas

Clinching his jaw, Austin slid his finger between 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 followed under 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, bit his lip 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 in as many minutes. 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 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 shirt.
    Mom sat across from her son and studied the packet. She wore a dress with red and blue flowers. She went to the salon yesterday and topped off the ensemble with her favorite jewelry. Austin stared at the golden dolphin necklace Dad had given her.
    He smiled. 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 door.
    Austin took a breath and opened the door.
    The recruiter, dressed in a dark blue suit and a crisp white shirt, turned around. The recruiter tucked a blue packet identical to the one Austin 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 on his lap before altering his gaze to face Austin.
    Austin held the stare into Nubern’s gray eyes before reaching for a butter cookie. When he looked back, Nubern continued looking at him.
    "Well," Mom said as if to break the odd quiet hanging over the