Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot (Book 16) (10 page)
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Authors: Jeff Kinney
BOOK: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot (Book 16)
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198
From the way my teammates were acting, I doubt
any of those guys had ever been in a hotel room
before. And I actually thought about calling
security on them a bunch of times.
But I
DIDN
’
T
, and that was
a big mistake.
DIDN
’
T
, and that was
a big mistake.
Because one of them
started an ice-cube fight
and
started an ice-cube fight
and
hit a sprinkler in
the ceiling.
the ceiling.
It turns out that
when the sprinklers go
off it
when the sprinklers go
off it
triggers the fire alarm.
199
So we spent the next two hours outside in the
freezing cold, along with everyone
ELSE
who was
ELSE
who was
staying at the hotel, while the fire department
reset the alarms.
In the morning, Mom
was pretty annoyed with
was pretty annoyed with
us, but she seemed
focused on the day
ahead.
focused on the day
ahead.
During breakfast, Mom said we were heading into
the Final Four, and that we all needed to play as
a team to pull out a win today.
200
Then she told everyone
about how it felt
to
about how it felt
to
lose her very last
game, and that she
sometimes
game, and that she
sometimes
wonders if
she could’ve
done anything
DIFFERENT
she could’ve
done anything
DIFFERENT
to change
the outcome.
Mom said
she didn’t
want
the outcome.
Mom said
she didn’t
want
US
to
have any
regrets, so
we needed
to leave
to
have any
regrets, so
we needed
to leave
everything on
the f
loor today.
the f
loor today.
It was
a good
speech and
all, but
the difference
a good
speech and
all, but
the difference
between Mom’s
team and
our team
was that
her
team and
our team
was that
her
team was
trying
to
prove they
were
the
B
E
ST
, and
trying
to
prove they
were
the
B
E
ST
, and
we
were
just
trying
not
to
be
the
WO
R
ST
.
So
the
were
just
trying
not
to
be
the
WO
R
ST
.
So
the
truth is,
we didn’t
really need
the extra
motivation.
we didn’t
really need
the extra
motivation.
Yesterday morning,
when we
showed up
at the
when we
showed up
at the
tournament, nobody
knew who
we were.
But
knew who
we were.
But
after setting
off the
fire alarm
last night
off the
fire alarm
last night
EVER
Y
ONE
did.
Y
ONE
did.
201
And the team we played in the next round was
out for
REVENGE
. They were the only all-girl
REVENGE
. They were the only all-girl
team in the whole tournament, and I guess they
didn
’t appreciate having their sleep interrupted.
’t appreciate having their sleep interrupted.
So, w
hen
we faced off against the Banshees,
they
hen
we faced off against the Banshees,
they
were ready to
P
L
AY
.
P
L
AY
.
202
In the third quarter, Mom had to take Ruby
out of the game to give her a rest. But I really
wished she hadn’t put
ME
in to take her place,
ME
in to take her place,
because it was like throwing raw meat to a bunch
of
WOL
VES
.
WOL
VES
.
I don’t
even remember
what the
final score
was.
even remember
what the
final score
was.
Al
l
I know is that we lost, and they got to go
l
I know is that we lost, and they got to go
home.
203
I have no idea how the Banshees lasted so long in
the tournament without a win, because those girls
were
T
OUGH
. But
, whe
n I saw the two teams
T
OUGH
. But
, whe
n I saw the two teams
who were still fighting
for the chance to
go
for the chance to
go
home
, I could see why those guys were still here.
, I could see why those guys were still here.
The two
teams left
were the
original Huskies
teams left
were the
original Huskies
and the
Funky Dunkers.
And they
both looked
Funky Dunkers.
And they
both looked
equally terrible
to
ME
,
so it
was anyone’s
game
to
ME
,
so it
was anyone’s
game
to lose.
But the Funky Dunkers only had five players
with no subs. So, even though they put up a good
fight, they ran out of steam at the end. And
that meant they had to face us in the
FINALS
.
FINALS
.
204
I should’ve figured this out a lot sooner, but
EVER
Y
ONE
in this tournament couldn’t go home
Y
ONE
in this tournament couldn’t go home
a winner. And whoever lost the last game would
know for sure that they were the worst team in
the state.
So we all wanted
to win the last
game, but
to win the last
game, but
nobody wanted it more
than
MOM
. And before
than
MOM
. And before
we started she went
over the game plan
and made
over the game plan
and made
some last-minute changes to
the line-up.
the line-up.
By that point, almost everybody had left the
building, and the place was practically
EMPTY
.
EMPTY
.
But then two people walked in through the doors.
205
Preet was wearing some sort of boot, so I guess
that meant he didn’t need crutches any more.
Mom asked Mr Patel what they were doing here,
and he said they heard we were playing today, so
they came to support us.
But Mom said we didn’t need cheerleaders – we
needed
PLA
YERS
. Then she asked Preet if he’d
PLA
YERS
. Then she asked Preet if he’d
be willing to play in his boot. And I guess Preet
must’ve missed competing, because he said
YES
.
YES
.
Luckily, Mom had a
spare jersey in her
bag, and
spare jersey in her
bag, and
she gave it to
Preet to suit up.
Then she put him
Preet to suit up.
Then she put him
in the starting line-up
and told us she
was making
and told us she
was making
one more change to
the game plan.
the game plan.
206
Mom threw out all our plays and replaced them
with just one, which was called “Get the Ball to
Preet”. And everyone was happy because we finally
had a play we could
UNDERS
T
AND
.
UNDERS
T
AND
.
The ref blew the whistle to start the game, and
we won the opening tip-off. Yusef passed the ball
to Preet, who was better on
ONE
leg than the
ONE
leg than the
rest of us on
TWO
.
TWO
.
The only problem was that he couldn’t
RU
N
. And
RU
N
. And
every time he scored the Funky Dunkers got an
easy basket at the other end of the f
loor.
loor.
207
Just before half-time, something really
A
WFUL
A
WFUL
happened. A bunch of kids on the other team
were trying
to stop
Preet from
shooting, and
he
to stop
Preet from
shooting, and
he
stepped on
their point
guard’s foot
with his
boot.
their point
guard’s foot
with his
boot.
The kid had to
be helped off the
f
loor by his
be helped off the
f
loor by his
coach and another player,
and we all clapped,
and we all clapped,
because for some reason
that’s what you’re supposed
that’s what you’re supposed
to do in that
situation.
situation.
208
But now the Funky Dunkers were down to four
players. The head ref said that since the Funky
Dunkers didn’t have a full team they were go
nn
a
nn
a
have to
F
O
RFEIT
. And
I think
their coa
ch w
as
F
O
RFEIT
. And
I think
their coa
ch w
as
totally fine with that.
But Mom
W
ASN
’
T
. She said, if we were gonna
W
ASN
’
T
. She said, if we were gonna
win, she wanted us to do it fair and square. So
she said she’d send one of
OU
R
players to the
OU
R
players to the
other team so we could finish the game.
I guess the other coach figured he had nothing
to lose, so he agreed. Then he said he’d take
P
REET
. But the head ref said
MOM
should be
REET
. But the head ref said
MOM
should be
the one to decide which player to send to the
other team. And, after thinking it over for a
minute, she picked
ME
.
ME
.
209
To be honest, I was kind of shocked, because
I never expected to get traded by my own
MO
THER
. But, as I walked towards the other
THER
. But, as I walked towards the other
team’s bench, she whispered something in my ear.
Well, now I was
T
O
T
ALL
Y
confused. I wanted
T
O
T
ALL
Y
confused. I wanted
our team to win
this game just as much
as Mom
this game just as much
as Mom
did, but I didn’t
think she’d want me to
C
H
E
AT
.
think she’d want me to
C
H
E
AT
.
I was willing to
do whatever it took, though,
do whatever it took, though,
including putting on someone
else’s
U
NIFORM
.
else’s
U
NIFORM
.
210
When the second half started, I got out on the
f
loor and acted like I was trying my hardest.
loor and acted like I was trying my hardest.
But I guess my new teammates didn’t trust me,
anyway, because they wouldn’t pass the ball to me.
After a few minutes,
I just stood in
the corner
I just stood in
the corner
to stay out of
everyone’s way. And that
was
everyone’s way. And that
was
actually a great spot
to watch the game,
which
to watch the game,
which
was starting to get
really
GOOD
.
really
GOOD
.
Every time Preet would
hit some crazy shot,
hit some crazy shot,
somebody on the Funky
Dunkers would score at
the
Dunkers would score at
the
other end. It went
back and forth like
that for
back and forth like
that for
the whole second half,
and I was so
caught up
and I was so
caught up
watching the game I
forgot I was actually
IN
it.
forgot I was actually
IN
it.
211
So, when Preet missed
a three-pointer and the
ball
a three-pointer and the
ball
bounced off the rim,
I was shocked when
it came
I was shocked when
it came
to
ME
.
ME
.
I didn’t know if
I should pass or
dribble or
I should pass or
dribble or
WHA
T
. But I couldn’t really do anything
anyway,
T
. But I couldn’t really do anything
anyway,
because all
of a
sudden my
former teammates
were
of a
sudden my
former teammates
were
all
O
VER
me.
O
VER
me.
212
212
212
The clock was ticking down, and the Funky
Dunkers were behind by two. So I looked over at
the bench to see what Mom wanted me to do, but
she didn’t exactly look like she was rooting for me.
That’s when I realized
why Mom sent me
to the
why Mom sent me
to the
other side in the
first place. It wasn’t
because I
first place. It wasn’t
because I
was some sort of
“secret weapon”. It was
because
“secret weapon”. It was
because
I
ST
a
NK
, and she knew
I’d blow it for
the
ST
a
NK
, and she knew
I’d blow it for
the
Funky Dunkers.
But by then I
honestly didn’t
CA
RE
. I just
honestly didn’t
CA
RE
. I just
wanted to get rid of the ball to give myself a
little space.
213
213
213
So I chucked it with all my might.
When I
launched it,
everybody just
FR
O
ZE
,
and
launched it,
everybody just
FR
O
ZE
,
and
it felt
like time
stood still.
And all
anybody could
like time
stood still.
And all
anybody could
do was
watch as
the ball
f
lew through
the air.
watch as
the ball
f
lew through
the air.
214
And when the ball went through the net at the
other side of the court you could hear a pin drop.
215
216
My shot was good
for three points, which
put the
for three points, which
put the
Funky Dunkers ahead by
one. And when the
final
one. And when the
final
buzzer
went
off
my
new
teammates
SW
ARM
ED
me.
went
off
my
new
teammates
SW
ARM
ED
me.
I finally got to see how it felt to be the
HER
O
HER
O
for once, and for the first time I could see why
everybody’s always making a big deal about sports.
217
In fact, I was thinking that this would make a
good
MO
VIE
. So I started working on getting
MO
VIE
. So I started working on getting
signatures from my new teammates.
I gotta say, Mom
was right about sport
bringing
was right about sport
bringing
people together. After the
game, me and the
guys
game, me and the
guys
went out for ice
cream. And we were
having so
cream. And we were
having so
much fun that we
decided to have
SE
C
O
NDS
.
decided to have
SE
C
O
NDS
.
We were
even talking
about getting
the team
even talking
about getting
the team
together and
doing this
all over
again
NEXT
year.
doing this
all over
again
NEXT
year.
And, even
though that
could be
fun, I
think
though that
could be
fun, I
think
sometimes you
should just
quit while
you’re ahe
ad
.
should just
quit while
you’re ahe
ad
.
A
CKNO
WLEDGEMENTS
CKNO
WLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to my wife, Julie, for being so suppor
tive and encouraging, and
tive and encouraging, and
thank
s to m
y whole family f
or being in my corner
all these years.
s to m
y whole family f
or being in my corner
all these years.
It
takes
a
lot
of
people
to
make
a
book!
Thanks
to
Charlie
K
ochman
for
takes
a
lot
of
people
to
make
a
book!
Thanks
to
Charlie
K
ochman
for
your
care
and
your
exper
t
help
in
making
these
book
s
the
best
they
care
and
your
exper
t
help
in
making
these
book
s
the
best
they
can
be.
Thanks
to
ev
er
yone
at
Abrams
,
especially
Michael
Jacobs,
be.
Thanks
to
ev
er
yone
at
Abrams
,
especially
Michael
Jacobs,
Andrew Smith,
Elisa
Gonzalez,
Hallie
P
at
terson,
Melanie Chang
,
Kim
Elisa
Gonzalez,
Hallie
P
at
terson,
Melanie Chang
,
Kim
Lauber
, Mary O’Mara
, Alison
Ger
vais and Borana
Greku. T
hank
s also
, Mary O’Mara
, Alison
Ger
vais and Borana
Greku. T
hank
s also
to Steve R
oman.
oman.
Thanks
to
the
Wimp
y
Kid
team:
Shaelyn
Germain-Dupre,
V
anessa
to
the
Wimp
y
Kid
team:
Shaelyn
Germain-Dupre,
V
anessa
Jedrej and Anna Cesary
. Thanks to Deb Sundin,
K
ym Hav
ens
, and the
. Thanks to Deb Sundin,
K
ym Hav
ens
, and the
whole team at An Unlikely Story
.
.
Thanks to Rich
Carr and Andrea
Lucey for
your outstanding suppor
t.
Carr and Andrea
Lucey for
your outstanding suppor
t.
Thanks
to
P
aul
Sennot
t
f
or
your
expert
advice.
Thanks
to
Sylvie
to
P
aul
Sennot
t
f
or
your
expert
advice.
Thanks
to
Sylvie
Rabineau
and
K
eith
Fleer
for
every
thing
you
do
for
me.
Thanks
to
and
K
eith
Fleer
for
every
thing
you
do
for
me.
Thanks
to
Roland Poindexter
,
Ralph
Milero,
V
anessa
Morrison
and
Michael
,
Ralph
Milero,
V
anessa
Morrison
and
Michael
Musgra
ve f
or bringing Greg Heffle
y’s
world to lif
e in such a w
onder
ful
ve f
or bringing Greg Heffle
y’s
world to lif
e in such a w
onder
ful
w
a
y.
a
y.
Thanks also to Jess Bra
llier f
or your encouragement and friendship.
llier f
or your encouragement and friendship.
ABOUT
THE
AUTHOR
THE
AUTHOR
Jeff Kinney is
a No. 1
New Y
ork T
imes
best
selling author and
a six
-time
a No. 1
New Y
ork T
imes
best
selling author and
a six
-time
Nickelodeon Kids’
Choice
A
ward
winner
for Fa
vourite
Book.
Jeff
ha
s
Choice
A
ward
winner
for Fa
vourite
Book.
Jeff
ha
s
been
named
one
of
Time
maga
zine’
s 100
Mos
t
Inf
luential
People
in the
named
one
of
Time
maga
zine’
s 100
Mos
t
Inf
luential
People
in the
W
orld.
He
spent
his
childhood
in
the
W
a
shing
ton,
D.
C
.,
ar
ea
and
orld.
He
spent
his
childhood
in
the
W
a
shing
ton,
D.
C
.,
ar
ea
and
mov
ed
to
New
England,
where
he
and
his
wife
o
wn
a
books
tore
ed
to
New
England,
where
he
and
his
wife
o
wn
a
books
tore
named An Unlikely Story
.
.
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