There was pointing laughing from several of Monica's friends and several drunks who had no idea what was going on or why, except someone had ended up in the pool. Others looked on in concern.
Monica was so focused on Lydia she never saw you move toward her, and it never occurred to her that you might go after her in revenge. But one moment Monica was gloating in satisfaction and the next she was herself shoved into the pool. Unlike Lydia who had been knocked over backwards, you pushed Monica from behind. Her swimmer's instincts took over just in time to get her hands out ahead of her to break the water rather than landing face first.
Still seething, you spun around to look at Monica's friends only to have her jock boyfriend shove you into the pool as well. The thought crossed your mind a moment before you hit the water that maybe you didn't think this through.
As quickly as you could, you started to make for the stairs out of the pool. Fortunately the water was not too deep, and after some movements halfway between swimming and flailing - made all the more difficult by your shoes and pants - you realized you could just stand up. You slogged toward the edge and could feel your legs crying out to change. Your pants and shoes would help you delay your transformation into a merman, but not indefinitely. You needed to get Lydia, get out of the pool, and get away from the party.
Lydia popped up out of the water in front of you and you eagerly wrapped your arms around her.
"Are you okay?" you asked.
"My legs feel weak" Lydia replied in hushed tones. "I could have a tail any moment now."
"I'll carry you if I have to."
Just then a red dress slowly floated by the two of you. It looked very familiar, except now nobody was wearing it.
"Where's Monica?" you asked.
Lydia saw the dress too, then she saw something she couldn't believe: she wasn't the only mermaid on the swim team.