Felix
Felix walked into the gym for the drama club fundraiser. The room was crowded with tables hosted by people selling hand-knitted hats, Christmas wreaths, and shirts with vinyl lettering that said things like DRAMA MAMA and WORLD’S BEST GRANDMA.
He didn’t want to be there. He wanted to be at the vet hospital with Freebie. This morning, he’d paid off Freebie’s ever-growing bill of $4,991.00 and asked the receptionist to take another fifty thousand for Freebie’s future needs. She had refused to charge that much but did take another five hundred as a deposit.
It probably wouldn’t be enough.
Felix spotted Benji working at the bake sale, wearing a cotton-candy-pink apron. Benji had begged him to come.
“Hey, Felix. What can I get you? A brownie? A cookie? Cake square?”
“Why are we here?” Felix asked.
“I’ve found a way to spend the rest of the money.” Benji wriggled his eyebrows.
“We can’t win,” Felix sighed. “We broke a rule.”
“We bent a rule.”
“We still have over one-point-six million left.”
“And we’re not giving up until the final buzzer.” Benji rubbed his palms together. “This is our buzzer-beater moment.”
“Are you going to charge me a million dollars for a cupcake?”
“Nope.” Benji looked at his phone. “I’ve got something better. And it’s about to start.” He took off his apron, moved closer to the stage, and waved for Felix to follow.
Alma stood behind a podium and adjusted the microphone. She thanked everyone for attending and then read off the winners of the silent auctions. The prizes included VIP seating for Shrek, signed books, tee times, and about a thousand different gift baskets. She never once mentioned Benji’s name.
“What’s going on?” Felix whispered to Benji.
“Just wait.”
“And we have one final item,” Alma said. “Mr. Palomino will tell you about it.” She stepped aside and, as she did, gave a little wave in Benji’s direction.
The principal took over the microphone. “Our last auction item is not the silent type. We will be bidding live. At stake is your principal as your personal assistant for one day. I will carry bags, attend classes, do homework, serve a four-course lunch. Your wish is my command. Within reason, of course.”
“This is it,” Benji said.
“We’ll start the bidding at twenty-five dollars.” The principal scanned the crowd.
“Twenty-five.” A tall man standing next to his tall daughter held up his hand.
Then Benji stepped forward. “I bid $1,641,512.58!”
No one had expected that, including Felix. He felt a surge of confusion and excitement, and maybe even hope.
Could we really spend all the money on this? Could we win?
“Benji Porter, that’s not appropriate.” Mr. Palomino pointed at him.
Benji held his hands out wide. “Am I not allowed to bid?”
“Keep it reasonable, or I’ll ask you to leave.” Mr. Palomino looked to the audience. “Do I hear forty dollars?”
Benji’s cheeks turned red.
Someone in the back of the room shouted “Forty!”
“Do I hear sixty dollars?” the principal asked.
“Sixty.” Benji raised his arm. “Am I allowed to bid sixty?”
The principal nodded slightly but gave his sternest look before asking for one hundred dollars.
The bidding continued between Benji and the rest of the audience, while Felix made his way to the edge of the gym. The challenge was over. He’d accepted that, even if Benji couldn’t.
“Benji Porter has bid six hundred dollars,” the principal said. “Do I hear six hundred fifty dollars?”
The room fell silent.
“Can I bid a million now?” Benji asked.
“No.” Mr. Palomino held up a wooden mallet. “Six hundred going once.”
The crowd remained quiet. What did Benji expect? No one else had his kind of money.
“Six hundred going twice.” The principal raised his hammer.
No one but Benji had one-point-six million burning a hole in his pocket.
“Six hundred going…”
No one but Benji—
And Felix!
“Six hundred and fifty!” Felix yelled.
Every head turned in his direction, but Felix looked only at his partner. Benji’s face squished into confusion for half a second and then lit up with understanding.
“Seven hundred!” Benji yelled.
“One thousand.” Felix walked to the front of the gym, and the crowd parted to make way. Benji and Felix stood in front of the podium and bid over and over again.
“One hundred thousand!” Benji said.
“Two hundred thousand,” Felix countered.
The principal tried to stop them. “Boys! Enough.” He pounded his hammer, and Felix didn’t know if that meant it was over or if it was just a way to get their attention.
People held out their cell phones and recorded the event. Felix knew there would be a backlash tomorrow. Another viral video—and he didn’t care.
“Five hundred thousand,” Felix said.
“Six.”
“Seven.”
“Eight.”
“Nine.”
Benji turned and looked straight at Principal Palomino. “$1,641,512.58.”
The room fell quiet again.
“Are you done?” the principal asked.
Felix smiled and shrugged. “Yeah, I’m out of money.”
And Mr. Palomino looked out of patience. It was obvious that he didn’t believe this was real.
“I want to talk to you both after this.” Mr. Palomino raised the hammer. “Going once. Going twice. And—”
“Two million!” A voice rang out from the back corner. Felix recognized it without looking.
Laura Friendly.