"Look, mama," I screamed, making my way over to my mother. "I found a rose as beautiful as you."

"Thank you, sweetie," she replied, gently taking the rose from my hands.

As she took her time to admire the beauty of the rose, a sweet yet eerie smile appeared on her face.

"Why don't you keep this, sweetheart," she continued, placing the rose in my hand. "Think of this as a way to remember me."

"Where are you going, mama," I asked, perplexed by her question.

"I'm going to atone for my sin, my love," she responded, a sigh exiting her lips. "The sins I've never committed."

"What's a sin," asked the nine-year-old me, confused by my mother's drastic vocabulary.

"It's nothing sweet," she replied, processing the words she had just spoken. "You'll understand when you're older."

It's been over fifteen years since my mother died. The only memory that I've kept of her was the rose. But to this day, I still don't understand the concept of a sinner. Nor what it means to sin.

Some say it's because of my kind heart, while others say it's because my guardians have well protected me from the devil.

But that was the least of my troubles today was my last day of college. The beginning of my adulthood, as others would call it. I'll finally be able to experience the world from the perspective of an ordinary person.

I rushed out of my dormitory to meet my grandfather and grandmother.

"Grandpops, Grandma," I said, engulfing both of them in a warm hug.

"Look at our cutie," said grandpa, slightly pulling my cheeks. "We let you out of the house for four years, and look at how much you've grown."

"You've practically become a woman now," said grandma. "So what did they say at the interview."

"Well, I got the job," I replied enthusiastically, leading them inside the dormitory.

And so we continued our joyful conversations, discussing my future and dreams.

"Bye," I replied, waving goodbye to them.

Looking at the time a sigh excited my mouth. I've been a grown-up for so long, yet others don't consider me one.

I'm past 21, yet I've never drunk, never kissed a boy, and never had an intimate relationship. So much for becoming an adult.

Heading back inside the dormitory, I lay down. Sadness overcame me. Today was my last day on this campus, and this oh-so-familiar room was starting to look strange.

Hearing a text from my phone I light up.

"Pick you up at nine, where something cute," read the text.

I was ecstatic.

"What should I wear, "I asked, turning over to my Emma, who has just entered the room.

"Did he ask you out," she asked, dropping down her boxes in shock.

"Yes, "I screamed." But what should I wear? He's going to be here in three hours."

"Yeah what are you going to wear," answered Emma, opening my closet to find it empty?

"I already packed all of my things," I said. "The only thing I have is a pair of pajamas, jeans, and a hoodie."

"Classic, Lillian," she replied, an optimistic look on her face. "Let's go shopping."

"No," I replied."I'll just open some boxes and take out a few dresses."

"Think of this as me repaying you for helping me make it past hell," she responded.