The Bad Seed
Written by Juliana VandenBroeke
Based on the novel by William March
Disclaimer Okay everyone, yes, I get bored easily, but honestly and truthfully, I really don't want any flames. When I first read the book and saw the movie, me and my sister noticed she looked and acted like Lila, except for the fast that Lila doesn't commit murders o.O;; I joked around, saying I was going too make it a fanfic, but eventually I did. So please, to keep the peace, if you do not like my fanfic, then please do not read it. Simple as that.
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Chapter One -
Lila Sawyer awoke to the sun streaming onto her bed sheets. She smiled to herself as she threw her feet over her bed and slipped on her slippers. It was nearly 8:00 a.m and it was a Saturday, which could only mean a school picnic on the riverfront near the bay, in celebration of the coming of summer and the ending of the school year.
She was most excited because she was looking foward to the Best Student of the Year Award that her teacher, Mrs. Slovak gave away every year. She was alsmost certain she was going to win that award, since it meant everthing to her and she had been trying her hardest to earn that. Although she and the rest of the class knew she was competing against her classmate, Phoebe Hyerdahl, her hopes were still very high.
Lila climbed out of bed an rubbed her eyes, as she walked towards her closet to pick out her new dress her mother had gotten her recently. She slipped it on and then sat at her 'vanity' table to brush her hair and fix it into two plaits with little green ribbons at the end. She heard a light knocking at the door and turned around to see her mother.
"Hello Darling. I'm glad you're up. Do you have time to say good bye to your mother?" she asked softly. Lila's smile brightened.
"Oh of course mommy. I'll be down in a few minutes, okay?" Lila inquired as she tightened the ribbon at the bottom of a long aburn braid.
Her mother smiled and nodded as she made her way back downstairs. Her mother, Evelyn, was a college and high school graduate, but she never had the money to go back and finish her years at a university. Now that she was married and had money, she was leaving for the summer semester at Colidair University in Michigan, across the country from where they lived.
Lila skipped downstairs and saw her mother, father, and their landlord, Miss Vitello, who Lila often called Auntie. (hey, i was desperate...) Who was also there to say good-bye to Evelyn. Mrs. Vitello was a 'jolly' lady that owned the exquisite apartment. She retired from her job at the towns flower shop so she could be at home more and take time off. She was also very fond of Lila, and would often bring her small but practical gifts such as mittens, ribbons for her hair or other small things that were useful.
Lila ran to her mother and smiled widely.
"Momma, what would you give me for a basket of kisses??" Lila cooed.
"Oh...I'll give you a basket of hugs!!!" her mother smiled and held out her arms for her and they embraced a goodbye tightly near tears.
"Oh mommy I'm going to miss you just ever-so much! You have to promise to write to me everyday!!" Lila said to her, but it was more of a order. Miss Vitello awwed.
"Honey, I promise to write to you as often as I possibly can!!" her mother promised as she squeezed her hand, then walked towards upstairs to gather her suitcases.
"Honey, I've got a new special present just especially for you!" Miss Vitello called to brighten the mood.
"A present?? What is it, Auntie?" Lila asked excitedly. Her father frowned.
"Lila, now you know how to behave," he reminded her with a small grin on his face. Before anyone could reply, there was a loud honk coming from the front of the house. He glanced out the window.
"Honey! The taxi is here to take you to the airport!!" her father called upsairs nervously. Evelyn hurried downstairs with two suitcases. She gave Lila one last sincere good-bye and hurried out the door, with Lila's father following close behind. Lila frowned as she looked out the door, but just as soon as it came, it left with a bright smile as she turned toward Miss Vitello.
"What have you got for me this time?" Lila asked sweetly as she walked towards her.
"Let's see if you can guess," Miss Vitello said as she reached into her purse. Lila put her hand on her chin as if in deep thought, then smiled and shrugged.
"I don't know Auntie. What is it? Tell me!" Lila said, obviously impatient but trying not to show it. Miss Vitello laughed and pulled out a leather pouch, and in them were a pair of pink sun glasses framed in rhinestones. Lila gasped in amazement.
"Oh Auntie!!!" Lila walked towards a mirror that was hangin in the living room and put them on. Miss Vitello smiled, and at that moment, Lila's father walked into the room from the front door. Lila spun around.
"Hello Daddy! Aren't they beatiful??" Lila smiled brightly and posed for her father.
Her father frowned, but his expression softened into a smile.
"Miss Vitello, what have you given her now??" Her father laughed as he sat on the couch and opened the daily newspaper.
"Just a little gift. I know how heart broken she is now that her mother left, so I just couldn't help myself! Now I have another small gift that I reveiced when I was nine, just your age!" Lila's eye's widened as Miss Vitello pulled out a long golden chain with a heart on it. In the center of the heart was a sapphire diamond.
"I'll have to get the gem changed to an emerald, since that's your birthstone," Miss Vitello said with a smile.Lila beamed.
"Oh thank you Auntie! Dear sweet Auntie!" Lila ran and gave her a hug. Lila's father stood up and checked his watch.
"Well Clara, [miss vitello] I hate to break this, but I suppose it's time to take Lila down to the school for the picnic" her father said. Lila gave a perfect courtsey to Miss Vitello and waved her a goodbye as she walked closely behind her father to the front door.
"Thank you for everything, Clare! I really apprecaite it." he called.
Lila sat cross-legged on the green grass in between her two best friends Rhonda and Sheena. Lila was speaking rapidly about how excited she was and how high her hopes were about the medal.
"Of course. Everyone who's anyone knows for a fact that you'll get the award. You're the nicest, most funnyist, prettyist best student and next to me, you're the best dresser in school. There's no reason why you shouldn't, right?" Rhonda explained. Sheena nodded in agreement, and Lila beamed. The small grouped shushed and her classmates and the rest of the school around her clapped as Miss Slovak and the principal, Mr. Wartz, walked to the front of the students with a small microphone.
"Fisrtly, I know just how excited you all are for the beginning of the summer..." Mr. Wartz began. Lila waited in longing and anticipation until she saw Miss Slovak hand Principal Wartz the medal she had wanted for all year.
"Now, for the fourth grade Student of the Year award. This student has shown cooperation, participation, teamwork, and ability to show their best work with outstanding marks. I am proud to anounce that the fourth grade Student of the Year award goes to...Miss Phoebe Hyerdahl!" Principal Watz announced proudly.
Lila's face flushed into a bright red, some from embaressment, but mostly for her furiousness. (that a word?) Lila glared at Phoebe as she walked in front of the students to retreive the award. If looks could kill, Phoebe would be long gone.
"Oh it's okay Lila! She's just a brainy nerd and only got it because of that!" Rhonda started quickly. Sheena quickly agreed with her. Lila shrugged, as if it were not big deal.
"Well, I didn't want it that bad, really," Lila gave them a fake smile. She said it, but she didn't mean it, not one little bit. SHE was the one that really wanted it!! Phoebe had all the spelling-b trophy's and the honor and T.A.G student awards!! Her shelves were covered with them, so why did she need this one so bad?? It was at that moment that Helga, whom was sitting in front of her, turned around and snorted.
"Looks like your luck ran out, Miss Perfect," Helga gave her a smile that made Lila want break out into an angry rage as her face turned red. Helga turned around and cheered on her best friend before Lila could say anything.
Principal Wartz gave out the final awards and dismissed the students to carry on with their feild games. Lila stood by herself near a tree. She saw Phoebe chatting rapidly with her classmates Arnold, Gerald, and Helga. Lila scowled. Then Phoebe started walking away, toward the dock by the river, by herself.
Lila's heart began to beat furiously as she walked casually towards to dock, following Phoebe in clenched fists.