SOLVED. two girls are friends, one is creepy, violet in the title, children's book [s]

[Abby]

This book is about two girls who befriend each other. It is told from the perspective of one nice normal girl mostly about her friend, whom I think is named Violet. Her friend is creepy. I know there are strange happenings, for example her pet cat disappears and I believe you are supposed to believe this Violet character killed it. I was in grade school when I read it, and I had to put it down because I just got such a bad vibe from the book. It was too creepy. I don't know if it was supposed to be a horror, or more of a coming of age story, or a mystery or what!

I feel like the title was something with Violet in the title, like "Becoming Violet." That word stands out to me a lot. My copy had a picture of a girl in a purple/violet sweater on the front.

I read this book sometime between 1998 and 2005, but I don't know when it had been published.

[Brittany]

There a few books by R. L. Stine about friends/pairs of girls, I don't remember anything about Violet sticking out though, but maybe worth a look? normally his books have a creepy element to them.
Switched (this one I have read and one of the girls is significantly creepier than the other.)
The Stepsister
The Stepsister 2
The Best Friend
Best Friend 2
Wrong Number 2
The New Girl

I've never even heard of this book, but some googling led to me to this book called Bleeding Violet
from the description it doesn't seem to match what you're looking for, but the name was pretty so close so I figured it couldn't hurt to add it on the off chance it's what you're looking for.

[Tab]

I wonder if it isThe Tulip Touch . The cover fits and you may have been mixing up flower names.

Here's a longer descrip:
A provocative, disturbing novel about an intense friendship between two girls, narrated by Natalie after she extricates herself from Tulip's control. When her parents take over the management of a hotel, Natalie befriends her new neighbor, though she senses something strange about her. (view spoiler)[She soon learns that Tulip is an inveterate, glib liar whose attendance at school is sporadic and whose behavior is vindictive. (hide spoiler)]Still, Natalie is loyal to her exciting, unpredictable friend. As the years pass, Natalie finds herself simultaneously fascinated and repelled by Tulip,(view spoiler)[ who is capriciously cruel to her and whose invented games seem to center on causing others discomfort. Eventually Natalie becomes frightened by her friend's reckless acts of arson and her inclination toward sadism. She abruptly and painfully pulls away from her. (hide spoiler)]

[Tab]

Abby says, "I don't know if it was supposed to be a horror, or more of a coming of age story, or a mystery or what!"

I can certainly understand why. The cover (the one w/ the purple sweater) really doesn't convey that the book seems to be quite intense. In fact I nearly skipped over the book while searching. If you had not mentioned "purple sweater" I would never have thought to click on The Tulip Touch

[Abby]

Tab, thank you!!! You are right-I knew the cover immediately! I've completely substituted 'tulip' for 'violet' in my mind for some reason.
Thank you! I am going to finally read this book.