Pyramid Scheme Pool Party

The last thing I wanted was to be at Jessica's pool party. But here I was, standing awkwardly by the deep end in my one-piece while everyone else looked like they'd walked straight out of Instagram. My hair — which I'd spent forty-five minutes perfecting that morning — was already frizzing in the humidity.

"Hey, Chloe!" Danny appeared out of nowhere, smelling like chlorine and expensive cologne. "Have you heard about the opportunity?"

I sighed internally. Danny had been trying to get me to join his pyramid scheme all week. Some essential oils thing that was definitely going to make us all millionaires before senior year.

"Not today, Danny."

"But it's a pyramid, Chloe. Not a pyramid scheme. Totally different." He splashed into the pool, sending a wave of water over my already-ruined hair.

That's when I saw Marcus — resident bully and general nightmare — holding a plastic bag. Inside, a single goldfish swam in tiny circles.

"Who wants to play?" Marcus grinned. "Target practice. Five bucks per toss."

My stomach dropped. The goldfish looked at me through the plastic, its mouth opening and closing like it was screaming.

"That's messed up, Marcus," I said before I could stop myself.

The whole pool went silent. Even the music seemed quieter.

Marcus stepped closer. "What did you say to me?"

"I said," my voice shook but I didn't back down, "that's messed up. It's a living thing."

Jessica appeared behind me, her designer swimsuit shimmering. "Marcus, put the fish down. Or you can leave."

Marcus blinked. Jessica's parents owned the biggest house in the subdivision. Marcus's parents worked for Jessica's parents.

"Whatever." He dropped the bag on a lounge chair. "Not worth the drama."

I grabbed the bag and walked to the pool's edge, tilting it gently. The goldfish slipped into the water, orange scales flashing in the sunlight as it swam away.

"You're welcome, little guy," I whispered.

Behind me, someone started clapping. Then Jessica. Then Danny, still treading water in the deep end. By the time I turned around, half the party was cheering.

"That was actually pretty badass," Jessica said.

I smoothed my frizzy hair and smiled. Maybe this party wouldn't be so bad after all.