Christine's P.O.V

I woke up feeling warm and comfortable.

Oh my cod, I just want to lie here in bed and sift through the warm fluffy blankets…

Wait BLANKETS?! BED?!

I snapped my eyes open and survey my surroundings. I'm laying on a couch in a small room. There's what looks like a television set, posters plastered everywhere, and an inkling sitting in a chair at the other side of the room. Actually, sitting was the wrong word for it, she was snoring loudly as her body was slumped over the chair. The inkling had purple tentacles and a white headband that was so undone it looked like it was going to fall off.

But this was the least of my concerns. What the shell happened last night? Last thing I remember was getting robbed and falling asleep on a bench. I had no memory of being here. It was all so confusing.

I slowly got out of the bed and silently tiptoed toward the purple inkling sleeping in the chair. Then I gently shook her awake.

"Huhhhh...wazzit...Ah!" the inkling retracted, startled at my sudden appearance and the chair she was seated on fell over as she jumped back in surprise.

"Uh, are you all right?" I said nervously. Not sure how to react.

The inkling looked up at me as if remembering something. "Oh yeah. Sorry about that! You just startled me that's all!" she said as she pulled herself up from the floor and turned to face me.

I gave the inkling a confused look. I really didn't know what to say. This was all just so weird and confusing.

The inkling then took a deep breath and said, "Okay, so I know this is kinda awkward since we hardly know each other but my name's Jessie! I found you asleep last night and you looked lost so I decided to take you here."

I just stared at the inkling. I wanted to thank her I really did but I just didn't know what to say. I haven't said a word to any inklings besides Captain Cuttlefish let alone been this close to one.

"Oookkaaayyy," said Jessie as she scratched her head, "I see your not very talkitive but I found this next to you." The inkling picked something up on the floor and handed it to me. It was the mesh hat Flow gave to me.

"Why?" I blurted out. The suddenness of the statement surprised even me. I guess maybe it was the hat that did it or maybe I just was sick of being confused.

"Say what?" said Jessie as she squinted in confusion.

"Why are you doing this?" I questioned. "You don't even know me and I'm an octoling for cod's sake!"

Jessie looked at me for a second and said, "Because it's the right thing to do plus it looks like you need some help in the terms of freshness."

Again, what did the word "fresh" even mean. This weird slang was starting to drive me nuts.

"Um, I never asked for your name." asked Jessie with her hand extended in greeting .

"Oh, I'm Christine. It's a pleasure to meet you." I responded and shook her hand. I then heard a loud growl that practically shook the whole room.

"Oof, that would be my stomach." said the inkling as she clutched her stomach. "Why don't we discuss this over some breakfast?" the inkling stated.

A few moments later, I found myself eating all these new and unusual foods. I still haven't gotten used to what inklings eat. Eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns were all unfamiliar to me but tasted great nonetheless.

"These tastes amazing! Thank you!" I said as I digged into a third helping of eggs.

After a few moments of eating Jessie said, "So, how long have you been in Inkopolis?"

"One day." I said plainly. Jessie gawked at me with a stupefied expression and dropped her fork on the table.

"Holy crow! Your new!" she exclaimed. "So all of this is all unfamiliar to you?"

"Well," I said, "I would be lying if I said no. It's all so intimidating." I said as I pushed away my plate. I was full.

"So do you have a place to stay yet? Are you going to a hotel or something?" asked the inkling excitedly as if she were already planning a visit.

I frowned. Not after losing all my money in the bottom of the pond. "I don't have any money. I was robbed" I said glumly.

"Oh," the inkling said as her smile faded, "I'm sorry, I didn't know."

I hated seeing this inkling upset. She had been so kind to me. "It's fine. I'll get." by I said."

The inkling looked at me with a serious expression, "That's impossible! Your not going to be able to do that!" she screamed.

This inkling had a point. The reality had sunk in again. I was going to have to leave inkopolis. I wouldn't be able to afford life up here. I felt a tear trickle down my cheek.

The inkling noticed. Damnit.

"Hey listen, I'm sorry I didn't meant to scare you." she apologized.

"No, it's not your fault," I started, but more tears were coming,"It's just when these inklings took my money. They said...they said.."

I was full on sobbing at this point. I couldn't help it. "They said to go back underground where I belong and now I'll have to do just that!" I continued, "I really was stupid to come up here. I'll just-"

I never finished my sentence. The inkling ran up to me and embraced me in a hug. She said nothing. She only rocked me gently and allowed me to cry myself out. It was odd being hugged by a total stranger but at this point I didn't care. I needed to cry for a while.

After I had cried myself out, Jessie released me and said, "All better?"

"Y-yeah." I sniffed.

"Listen, I've been thinking. Why don't you stay here?" Jessie said as she sat back in her chair.

Was this inkling insane? She just helped a total stranger, let her break down in her house like a baby, and now she's offering her a place to stay. No. I would not trouble her anymore. I can never stand up for myself. Whenever, someone has helped me I've always failed. I've always let someone down whether it was Cuttlefish or Flow. I'm not making that mistake again.

I slammed my hands on the table. "No," I said firmly.

"Why not?" she said as she cocked her head in question.

"I appreciate your help. I really do but you've just done so much for me and I would just be a burden." I said as I smiled politely.

The inkling looked at me with a shocked expression and suddenly asked, "Christine, do you know how to turf?"

I was taking aback by the question, "In the octarian army I learned how to turf, why?"

"I had an idea, my friends and I need a fourth member on our squad."

"A squad?" I asked.

"For turf wars." Jessie responded, "It's a sport that inklings do to earn money."

I gave her a confused look. She sighed and said, "We had a member of our squad ditch us lately and now we need a new me or Judd will kick us out of the circuit."

Jessie smiled at me, "Please stay. It would actually be a big help" she said. "We'll split the rent."

I hesitated. This inkling is offering me a lifeline to stay here. If I joined her squad I could become useful and pull my own weight. Maybe, I could do it. I've come too far not to try.

"Yes,"

Well, this chapter took way longer than usual. I finally linked Christine and Jessy together and now the main plot can beging. Let me know what you all think. Let me know if you have any ideas!