Saint or Sinner

Chapter One

Amelia

They say angels are the superior beings to humans. Meant to watch over God’s creation to regulate the souls that dwell on earth, and to keep tabs on good and evil for judgement day. They are said to be powerful and intelligent beings, perhaps that’s why mortals, like myself cannot see them.

“Amelia…?”, a voice asked startling me from my thoughts. I glanced around the room and noticed other student’s turned to look at me.

“Uh, sorry professor I must have been lost in thought, could you repeat the question?” I asked, feeling my cheeks heat up from embarrassment.

My name is Amelia Rose Thorne. I know, my mother had a sense of humour. I am a university student attending my fourth year of medical studies. My hope is to be able to follow in my late father’s footsteps and become a doctor one day. He passed away six years ago while on a vacation with friends. They were on a boat in Fiji. The water was unpredictable, and he went overboard. They were never able to uncover the body so we couldn’t have a proper funeral. My mother was devastated.

I am short, 5’4 and I took most of my mother’s features. I have long brunette hair that falls down my back in ringlets from the perms I get regularly to maintain it. I have hazel eyes with multiple different colours in the irises but primarily gold and green flecks. My face is heart shaped with a widows peak covered by my bangs, I have a small nose and full pouty pink lips. I wouldn’t say I was fat, but definitely on the curvier side with a small waist, large hips, and full breasts. Overall, I would say I was average as I felt I was just another face in the crowd.

“I’ve called your name a few times now Amelia, could you please answer question eight on the presentation?” my professor repeated. His name is Mr. Wight, he was a short older man due to the hump on his back. He is balding and the hair he does have is grey. He has taught my anatomy class for the last two semesters.

As I stand to answer the question the bell rings signalling the end of the class. Mr. Wight turned off the presentation and turned to address the lecture hall. “You are all dismissed, enjoy your weekend and please complete the assignment on pages 409 to 416 for Monday.”

Everyone started to pack their things and leave. I reached behind my seat pulling out my red backpack and started pilling my textbooks and notes into it. As I went to sling my backpack over my shoulder and leave the lecture hall I heard Mr. Wight’s voice call after me, “Amelia, could you please stay behind? I’d like to have a chat with you.”

I sighed and turned around, walking down the steps to the front of the lecture hall. I stood in front of Mr. Wight, holding my bag in my hands in front of my legs. After the last few students had left Mr. Wight turned to look at me. “Amelia, are you ok? Is something going on at home? I noticed you’ve been spacing out a lot lately in my classes. Is there something you need to talk about?” he asked.

I shuffled from foot to foot. While I appreciated his concern, I had to get to work soon or else I would be late, I couldn’t afford to miss out on a day of tips due to it being just my mom and I at home. “No Mr. Wight, I believe I may just be tired due to exams coming up and my course load, I promise I will be more attentive in class. I am sorry to cut this chat short, but I really must be going, I have to be at work soon,” I said looking at the clock on the wall.

“Alright Amelia, but please come chat with me if you need something. I may be your teacher, but I don’t want to see you fall behind. You’re a hardworking student and I would hate to see your potential wasted,” he said earnestly. I nodded and turned to leave, walking up the stairs to the exit doors. Once the door closed behind me I breathed out a sigh of relief. I needed to hurry or else my boss was going to be pissed.

I rushed down the hall to my locker, spinning the lock I quickly grabbed all the textbooks I would need, shoving them into my backpack and quickly closing my locker. I swung my backpack over my shoulder and ran out of the university to the student parking lot. I quickly glanced around for Rebecca, praying she was still here. I noticed her learning against her car flirting with the football player’s again. I rolled my eyes and quickly ran over to her white Bentley Continental GT.

Once I reached her car she and the two football players glanced over at me, I imagine I was sweating, and my hair was probably sticking up everywhere from running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off. “I’m so sorry Becc’s, Mr. Wight kept me after class, thank you for waiting for me,” I huffed out of breath.

“It’s ok Mia, are you ready to go now? I don’t want you to be late for work,” she chuckled looking at my dishevelled appearance.

“Yea,” I replied opening the passenger door. I tossed my bag onto the floor of her car and climbed into the seat, closing the door, and putting on my seatbelt. I glanced over at my best friend who was waving goodbye to the mystery jocks as she got into the car.

Becc’s has been my best friend since elementary, she attends the same university but is working on a Bachelor of Science. She is tall and gorgeous; she has blond wavy hair that brushes her shoulders and crystal blue eyes. She has a round cute face with a small nose and perfect pouty lips. She has long legs and a killer body. People often mistake her for a model. Her parent’s are extremely wealthy hence why she has an expensive car.

She quickly pulls out of the parking lot and races down the street humming along to a Post Malone song on the radio. Turning down the music she glances over at me while driving, “Why did your Professor keep you after class?” she asked me, curiosity in her voice.

“I drifted off in class again, I guess he was calling my name for awhile to get me to answer a question and I didn’t really hear him. He called me back after everyone was dismissed and asked me if everything was ok at home. He said he didn’t want me to miss out on my potential, I guess,” I huffed looking out the window.

“Have you been sleeping well? You look tired Mia. I think you need to slow down at the bar. I don’t want to see you killing yourself trying to keep your grades up and help your mom with the bills. You know you can always ask me for help if you need it right?” she said, concern in her voice.

“I know, I just don’t want to burden you with my financial situation, and I enjoy working at the bar, I always see the crazies and it makes for good tips. I don’t need your money Becc’s I have to be a big girl and support myself,” I replied, turning to look at her.

“I know, I know. I just worry about you working late and walking home after, that’s all,” she said glancing over at me.

“You don’t have to worry about me, I can take care of myself, but I appreciate your concern,” I replied smiling at her. She smiled back at me, and we sat in comfortable silence for the rest of the drive listening to the radio. I saw the bar I worked at come into view as Becc’s pulled into the parking lot “Lust” the bright neon sign blinked.

“God this place looks like a strip club, how come you’ve never let me drive you to work before?” she asked glancing around the parking lot, looking at the bar patrons milling about.

“I… uh, this place isn’t really the places you’d normally go to Becc’s. I really have to run; I’ve got 5 minutes to get into my uniform and clocked in before I’m late. Thank you for the ride!” I shouted grabbing my bag and running for the front entrance. I nodded at the bouncer Bill, he was a big guy and probably easily weighed 300 pounds of pure muscle. That’s why he was head of security as no one really messed around when he came to break up a fight. He nodded back to me as I rushed through the large double doors.

The outside of the bar was plain brown brick, there were no windows and there were 3 exit doors throughout the whole bar. The inside however was much different. The floors were a black marble, the walls painted a dark purple. Black silk curtains hung in front of the stage and private rooms. There were gold accents throughout the room. The stage was four feet off the ground and had a main stage and two side stages, room for three dancers to dance on the poles on each stage. Since today was a Friday all three stages had dancers tonight as it would be a busy night. The floor was littered with glass tables that could seat two to six people in the leather chairs and behind me there was the bar. The bar was also made of the same black marble and had room for fifteen people to sit at the bar. Behind the bar, two bartenders were already working twirling and serving drinks to the bar patrons.

I quickly jogged down the hall to the staff room. I opened my locker and shoved my bag inside. I quickly slipped out of my black long-sleeve shirt and black leggings and into the tight form-fitting short black dress that was my “uniform”. I clipped my nametag to my right breast and quickly tousled my hair before I slipped into the pair of nude flats I wore on my shifts. I glanced at the time and had a minute left. I rushed out of the staff room and over to the bar. I swiped my ID into the computer right on time for my shift.

“Cutting it close again are we?” I heard a voice chuckle. I glanced behind me and noticed my boss Ricki was manning the bar. Trevor must have gone for his break. I smiled at Ricki and smoothed out my dress checking the orders that were coming through. Ricki put some drinks on a tray “these are for private room eight, don’t f**k up we have an important client here.” I nodded picking up the tray and balancing it on my shoulder as I walked towards the private rooms.

I was lucky to have a job here. I remembered the day I applied I begged Ricki for a job as my dad had passed away a few years prior, and my mom was close to losing the house as she couldn’t keep up with all the bills coming in. I was willing to do anything, I’d wash dishes, I’d serve drinks, hell I would’ve even got on the pole if that would’ve gotten me a job. Ricki told me I was to fat to strip, but he needed a server and I worked hard the last four years to become the best server here.

I glanced up at the gold plaque next to the silk curtains reading room eight in black lettering. “Drink service,” I called as I stepped through the curtains. What I didn’t expect was the most enticing dark eye’s I’d ever seen staring into my soul. I must have tripped because the drinks on the tray tipped forward spilling all over the glass table. f**k, I’m dead I thought.