"Look, Chicken Run was an artistic interpretation meant for entertainment purposes, not a realistic depiction of the general poultry lifestyle!"
"Miley, chickens have feelings too! All I'm saying is that I'm not the only one who-"
"Oh, so you're worried about the chickens suffering are you? Well in a world where children are starving in Africa-"
"You're missing the point! It's WRONG to let the meat industry brutally murder thousands of innocent chickens just so that we can save a few dollars!"
"You'd rather have low income families starve or become anemic? Some of them depend on those low prices to-"
"Vegetables are cheaper anyways, and vitamin supplements-"
"Are expensive and require a knowledge of the body's needs that low income families can't afford to have. While meat provides naturally those things naturally and the price-"
"SHOULD NOT BE NEGOTIATED IN FAVOR OF ANIMAL CRUELTY!"
"I'd sacrifice a hundred chickens to save-"
"GIRLS! That is enough!" Mrs. Strichlan growls tiredly at us. We glare at each other and sit back down in our seats. Leave it to Lilly to defend the animals during an economic crisis! That girl's got a strange sense of morality. But she's always contrary.
We meet eyes, and she looks sorry, so I know this conflict won't change anything.
The bells rings and the English classroom empties. Mrs. Strichlan goes to slouch down in her desk and take an Aspirin.
I throw my notebook into my sack and sling it over my shoulder. I look up to see Lilly looking guiltily at me from across the room.
She pauses, and then comes up to me with scared downcast eyes.
"Miley?" Her voice is cautious and soft.
"Yeah?"
"M'sorry," she says, scuffing her toe against the ground. How can I stay mad at her? Politics notwithstanding, she's the best person I know. And that face is just irresistible. And who could say no to that voice?
"S'ok, Lil, it was fun while it lasted. You're becoming quite the opponent," I assure her, smiling at her sudden grin, "Walk me home?"
"You know it!" she cheers, linking our arms.
"Miley, what's an oligarchy?" Lilly asks as we do our homework, stretched out on my bedroom floor.
"An Amber and Ashley style government, " I say flatly, adding a number to an equation I'm working on for chemistry. Lilly giggles.
"Can you imagine living in a country they ruled?" I continue, "You'd be executed at once for the pathetic nose job."
"HEY!" yells Lilly indignantly, "my nose is as real as yours!" I pinch hers.
"Beanie Biley!" she says, struggling to free her face from my grasp.
"Silly Lilly," I smile, releasing her. She sticks out her tongue and crosses her eyes.
"Hey, watch where you point that thing, 'cause-" Lilly cuts me off, launching herself into my lap and tickling my ribs.
"Smart alec!" She hollers.
"Crazy!" I choke. She tickles me harder. Tears run down my face and my lungs hurt, but I will NOT surrender!
"Give it up, Stewart!" crows Lilly, "You've lost!" For a few more seconds, I lay squirming beneath her merciless, tickling, fingers.
"NEVER!!!!!!!!!" I flip her over and ferociously attack her super ticklish armpits.
"STOP IT, MILEY!" She cries, frantically, "P-PLEASE!"
"Surrender, Truscott, and I'll consider it."
"N-Nev-"
"I've got all day here." Lilly bucks helplessly and then looks at me with defeat in her summer blue eyes.
"I surrender!" she yelps, "NOW GET OFF ME!"
I do, smirking.
"Yeah, yeah, you win," she grumbles. Lilly is super competitive.
"Yep," I say, "But you're cuter."
"Even with the nose job?" she teases.
"Nobody's perfect," I reply idly picking up my homework.