about to launch into the victory dance she’s been
rehearsing all week. But it’s not over yet.
“If the Factoids answer the next question
incorrectly, the game continues,” Ms. Clarke says.
“If they get it right, they’re the champions.”
I look over at Francis. He flashes me a gigantic
smile. Why? Because he knows the same thing
I do: We’re about to win the Trivia Slam.
“That’s correct.” Ms. Clarke smiles. “Congratu—”
I don’t hear the rest. Dee Dee wraps me in a
bear hug, and a second later I’m on the bottom
of a Factoid pig pile. Teddy’s singing in Spanish,
hats are flying everywhere . . . it’s total
pandemonium.
“I thought we were DOOMED when I heard
that question!” Chad exclaims as we untangle
ourselves.
Before I can answer, Francis slaps me on the
shoulder. “He’s just really good at trivia, that’s all!”
But that’s NOT all. And Francis knows it better
than anybody.
See, that was my half of the friendship pact I made
with Francis back in third grade. He told me his
secret—Butthurst—and I told him mine: that I’m
a complete cat coward. I know it sounds stupid,
but cats just freak me out. They always have.
“Think of it this way,” Francis says.
“Ooh! Guys! That reminds me . . .”
As the others scroll through the rest of the
pictures, Francis and I step into the hall. “Hey, I
just thought of something,” he says. “Maybe Uncle
Pedro could help you get over your cat phobia.”
“No, thanks. Being hypnotized the first time didn’t
work out so hot.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, I’m glad that didn’t stick.
I like you much better as a slob.”
Hear that? Now THAT’S a best friend. We’ll always
be total opposites, but just because Francis is
Mr. Clean, it doesn’t mean he expects ME to be.
He’s happy with me just the way I am.
(pronounced “purse”) is a cartoonist/writer and New
York Times bestselling author of the hilarious Big Nate
book series (www.bignatebooks.com), now published in
twenty-two countries worldwide and available as ebooks
and audiobooks and as an app, Big Nate: Comix by U! He
is also the creator of the comic strip Big Nate. It appears
in over two hundred and fifty U.S. newspapers and
online daily at www.gocomics.com/bignate. Lincoln’s
boyhood idol was Charles Schulz of Peanuts fame, but
his main inspiration for Big Nate has always been his
own experience as a sixth grader. Just like Nate, Lincoln
loves comics, ice hockey, and Cheez Doodles (and dislikes
cats, figure skating, and egg salad). His Big Nate books
have been featured on Good Morning America and in the
Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today and
the Washington Post. He has also written for Cartoon
Network and Nickelodeon. Lincoln lives with his wife
and two children in Portland, Maine.
For exclusive information
on your favorite authors and artists,
visit www.authortracker.com.
Big Nate Flips Out Page 5
