Free Battle: BWWM Dystopian Interracial Sci-Fi Romance (Betwixt Chocolate Book 2) by Tamara Black Page B

setting up classes for children and adults.
    I looked into the impromptu classroom she’d set up with help of a dozen volunteers who wanted to help her teach the younger generation. She stood at the front of the class, pointing to a makeshift blackboard. The sight of an alphabet drawn out made me recall the past. My own education had been one-sided to say the least. Ree made me see the world in a new way. Her life was proof the world could become a better place.
    “Governor Tony!” one of the children shouted as he pointed at me.
    Ree looked at me and smiled. Six weeks after gaining control of House DeeCee, we were getting along rather well. We didn’t talk about the time I tried to kiss her, of course. I enjoyed spending time with her, so I kept my mouth shut about it.
    “Are you here to help us Governor Tony?” she asked.
    All the small heads in the classroom turned to me at the same time, anticipating my answer.
    “Sure, I can spare some time.”
    My to-do list went on for pages, but I couldn’t resist the future of society - or an excuse to be around Ree.
    “Great, come up here. We need a model for art hour.”
    I waved and smiled like a true politician as I walked to the front of the room. She smiled at me as I stopped in front of her. We both turned back to the students.
    “Who can come up and write down something about Governor Tony on the blackboard?” she asked.
    A dozen hands, including a couple from adults, were raised into the air. She carefully waved her hand a moment, stopping to point at a boy no older than eleven. His black, curly hair extended well past his skull. I watched as he proudly walked to the front of the class. After taking a small piece of chalk from Ree, he stepped up to the blackboard and wrote out, “Governor Tony good!”
    I smiled.
    “You forgot the verb, but good job.” She turned back to the class. “Can anyone tell me what word is missing?”
    “Is,” someone in back shouted out.
    “Good,” she said.
    The remaining half-hour of class went by quickly. As the students shuffled out of the room, I stayed behind.
    “You’re doing great with them,” I said.
    “Thanks. I’m trying.” She smiled. “It feels good to help people learn.”
    “Education is going to help all of us in the long run,” I said.
    “You ain’t gonna get no disagreement from me, Gov Tony,” she said in a heavily accented voice.
    “Are you making fun of your students?” I teased.
    “No.” She frowned. “Okay, maybe. It’s so stressful.”
    “I know what you mean.” I paused, then added, “How do you feel about having dinner together?”
    “I’m really busy.”
    “We all have to eat,” I insisted.
    She stared into my eyes. “Okay. You’ve broken down my resistance,” she said with a slight laugh.
    Joy raged through my body. “Great. Does tonight work for you?”
    “I didn’t have any plans. Your place or mine?”
    “I’ll come to your quarters,” I said, not wanting to put any extra pressure on her.
    “Sounds good. Give me about an hour or two to finish up here, okay?”
    “I have some stuff to do too, but I look forward to getting together.”
    Can you sound any more idiotic? I asked myself in my mind.
    Her smile put me at ease.
    “I’ll see you later, Tony.”
    I turned and almost danced my way out of the classroom. The harshness of the world could still jump up and bite me at any time, but for the moment my thoughts were centered on Ree. She caused my heart to skip a beat whenever she was near me. Time wouldn’t pass quick enough that afternoon.
     
    ***
     
    Her quarters were as sparse as anyone else in our still unnamed factory-city, but at the same time I sensed her style as I glanced around the room. The smell of green beans and chicken permeated the room. Rations were tight, but with all the work we did to help everyone, certain perks were granted to us by the people. I walked over to the table where she was intently fixing our food for dinner over a