Worst Summer Ever... (Book 7 of Adopted by Jenna and Tyler Joseph)

3. Samantha

I took a deep breath as my name was called and I walked out onto the stage and up to the lectern that was set up in the centre of the stage. Behind me was an orchestra that had been playing for our guests until the program started. Dad and Uncle Josh were playing on Friday night, but we had an orchestra - actually our school orchestra had been rehearsing with the Columbus Philharmonic Orchestra and they were playing tonight. I mean, it's a scholarship for a student at our school. Our school should be included somehow.

"Hi," I said once the applause died down. "Some of you may not know me. I'm Samantha Joseph. I'm 17 years old and I survived the shooting at South Columbus High School last June because of the selfless act of one of my best friends."

I paused while there was some applause and cheering. I had schoolmates and teammates out in the crowd tonight. Some of the people in attendance were benefactors and investors. And some were from Dad's management company and his record label, too!  His manager was here! There were a lot of important people here. Some of probably meet tonight. Some on Friday. I guess.

"Blaine's sacrifice that day, started me down this path without either of us even knowing it. I struggled a lot in the aftermath of the shooting. I know we all did in our own ways. No one in school that day was unaffected. I certainly don't want to minimize the fact that each of us dealt with this tragedy in our own ways.

One of the things that I struggled with the most was losing Blaine. I could tell you so many great things about Blaine, but I'm leaving that for his parents, who are going to introduce you to their son, and my friend.

But before they come and make you all cry, because they will when you learn about Blaine, I want to tell you what Blaine meant to me and why I started this scholarship in his name.

"Blaine was, is, one of my best friends. He was a constant in my days. Every morning with my best friend Jill, and our friend Mason, if he showed up on time," I paused because people laughed. Mostly Jill and Mason, who were right in front of me, giving me thumbs up and huge smiles. "Would be waiting at the front door of the school and we'd all go in together. We were like the four musketeers. With a lot less sword fighting."

More laughter.

"On his last day alive, Blaine and I were talking about our math exam and summer plans. It was a normal day. It was supposed to be a normal day.

But that normal day turned into a nightmare that for me lasted months. I know we all still struggle with some of the fallout from the shooting, but I can really only speak from my experience.

It wasn't until months later, with a lot of help from my parents, my friends and my doctors that I was able to better cope with what happened.

And that's when I decided I wanted to do something to memorialize the sacrifice one sixteen year old made for another. Blaine shielded me. And that cost him his life. But I'm determined to make Blaine live forever. So this scholarship, which will cover some expenses for a graduating senior, who exemplifies the characteristics that made Blaine who he was. Empathy, compassion, leadership and drive. This scholarship isn't grade based. We all have enough stress with grades. I wanted this to be something people wanted to achieve. And you can't win this scholarship if you're not 100% committed to be the type of person Blaine was. It can't be faked.

But, while the scholarship is named for my friend, I think you need to learn more about who Blaine was from the two people who knew him best. His mom and dad."

I looked over at Blaine's parents, who walked out to where I was standing to the orchestra playing 'Sunrise, Sunset' from 'Fiddler On The Roof'. Their choice. They'd submitted a slideshow of pictures of Blaine as he was growing up. We'd gone through it with them and the last few photos had me, Jill and/or Mason in them, showing his relationship with his friends was so close.

I hugged both his parents. I was supposed to leave the stage, but Blaine's dad wrapped his arm around me and wouldn't let me leave. He smiled at me, though.

"Thank you, Samantha, for not only giving us this opportunity to celebrate our son, but for exemplifying exactly who Blaine was with this scholarship," his dad started.

"When Samantha approached us with this idea, I admit, we were hesitant at first. From everything we'd learned about Samantha when she would be at our house with their friends, this was not completely unexpected. However, for starters, what does a seventeen year old know about running a scholarship? And why Blaine out of all the other students? But it became immediately obvious. Blaine's sacrifice is the reason Samantha is here to do this to memorialize our son, her friend."

They hugged me again, and I hugged both of them back, and left the stage to go cry while they spoke about Blaine. I still missed him so much.

Mom gathered in her arms when I came offstage because she saw I was going to lose it. She walked me back to my dressing room and we sat and she let me cry.

"You did great," she said, handing me a tissue. "You spoke beautifully and I don't think anyone could tell you were about to cry until you were off stage. I'm so proud of you. You're stronger than you give yourself credit for."

I just leaned against Mom until I didn't feel so sad. I was learning to allow the sadness just a little hold. And then let it go. Doc and the support group had taught me that. They'd said pretending not to be sad or upset about things doesn't stop the pain but instead lets it grow and fester until it controls you.

I'd seen that before. Back when Mom had had to have me hospitalized. I'd let the sadness take over without acknowledging it. I wanted to pretend I was okay when in reality, I was falling apart bit by bit.