Hate at first sight . . . Sarah Thomas and Sophia Rizzo can't stand each other. Without a doubt, no two sixth graders at Sweet Valley Middle School are more different. When Elizabeth Wakefield starts working on an art project with Sarah and Sophia, she hopes the two girls will become friends. But soon even patient Elizabeth is fed up with their constant bickering.
Sarah and Sophia's fighting finally leads to a visit to the principal. The girls know they're in big trouble, but they don't know just how big. When Sarah's father and Sophia's mother meet in the principal's office, it's love at first sight. And Sarah and Sophia are united at last - to try to break up their parents!

Big Trouble . . .

Elizabeth had been frozxen in her tracks, watching the terrible scene unfold. But now she knew it was time to take cover. This was war. She quickly darted under the table as Sophia lunged for a bucket of orange paint, and Sarah dove for a bucket of black.
"You thug!" Sarah yelled as she reached into the bucket of black paint and tossed a handful of it in Sophia's direction.
"Stop it!" Elizabeth screamed from beneath the table.
But Sophia and Sarah were chasing each other around the table, each of them armed with fresh buckets.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" a voice thundered from the doorway. Elizabeth looked up and saw Mr. Sweeney running into the room just as Sarah and Sophia let the paint buckets fly.
Elizabeth closed her eyes. She couldn't bear to watch. There were two loud "splaaaaats," and outraged shout, and then a terrible silence.

What's wrong with Lila? Poor Lila!