When Felix wakes, he is confident in their plan to execute an extravagant fundraiser. Georgie visits, bringing maple candy, and the two reconcile; she playfully scolds Felix for wearing her wedding dress.

As Felix prepares for school, the hotel manager informs him that payment was denied. Felix’s banking app shows over $1 million but instructs him to contact his financial institution. However, his accountant does not answer. Felix runs to Benji’s suite, where Benji reveals that his father’s lawyers have frozen the account until December 16. Felix collapses in shock.

At school, Felix is distracted and performs poorly at basketball. After practice, Benji proposes using his father’s email password to impersonate Mr. Porter and tell the lawyer to drop the case. Felix rejects this idea as stupid, and as the boys argue loudly, Felix calls Benji a useless “idiot.” Enraged, Benji hurls the basketball against the house. The noise startles Freebie, whose leash snaps. Freebie runs into the road and is hit by a truck.

Reggie races them to the emergency vet. Two women in scrubs meet them with a gurney and rush Freebie inside. At reception, a deposit is required. Because Felix’s account is frozen, Reggie pays with his credit card.

While they wait, Benji calls his mother, Ms. Rannells, and Alma. Benji’s parents arrive, and his father’s reassurance makes Benji feel that they are a team again.

The veterinarian, Dr. Rhamid, leads them to an exam room and explains that Freebie is being prepped for surgery. She lists severe injuries; the dog has broken bones, a punctured lung, internal bleeding, and brain swelling. She warns them to prepare for difficult decisions, including the possibility of euthanasia. Felix yells that they have millions and can pay anything, but Dr. Rhamid gently tells him that this matter is not about money.

After 10 pm, Felix refuses to leave the hospital. Benji apologizes for everything, calling himself an idiot. Felix insists that they are both responsible for Freebie’s accident. Benji wonders if they deserve this for having stolen the $20, but Felix argues that Freebie is innocent. Together, they share memories of Freebie’s misdeeds. When Benji admits that he would have sacrificed everything for basketball, Felix apologizes for ignoring him during tryouts and reaffirms their friendship.

Just after midnight, Dr. Rhamid asks if they would like to see their dog. Freebie has survived the surgery but will need another operation if he recovers. Felix and Benji say goodbye.

As they leave, the receptionist, Andy, demands a payment of $3,819.04 for Freebie’s medical care, but Felix’s mother cannot pay. Dr. Rhamid intervenes, allowing them to pay later. Outside, snow falls. In the car, Benji whispers that he can get the money back by indirectly revealing the truth through his online journal. Felix tells him to do it.

That morning, Benji writes a journal entry confessing the truth about the challenge, knowing that his parents will read the journal.

At lunch, Alma joins Benji. He apologizes for failing to deliver the amazing fundraiser he had planned. Alma reassures him and invites him to attend.

After school, Benji’s mother confirms that she knows about the journal entry; she says she is proud of him. His father announces that they have dropped the lawsuit. He adds that he does not care about basketball or grades as long as Benji tries hard. Benji makes a sarcastic joke about insisting that his future children excel at everything in school in order to be worthy of the family name. Hearing Benji say this saddens his father, who insists that Benji is the most important thing and is more than enough just as he is. He apologizes if he ever made his son doubt that. Benji becomes so emotional that he is unable to speak.

Felix arrives at the fundraiser, though he would rather be with Freebie. After paying the vet bill and leaving a deposit, his balance is $1,641,512.58.

Benji tells Felix that he has a plan for a last-minute way to win the contest. Felix protests that they broke a rule of the contest, but Benji insists that they only bent it.

After Alma announces the silent auction winners, Principal Palomino auctions off a unique prize: The winner will have him as a personal assistant for a day. Benji immediately bids the entire balance of their bank account, but Palomino insists that the auction proceed in reasonable increments. When the bidding stalls at $600, Felix jumps in at $650. Benji and Felix bid against each other, rapidly escalating into the hundreds of thousands. The crowd records the bidding on their phones. Benji makes a final bid of $1,641,512.58, and Felix announces that he is out of money. Before Palomino closes the auction, a voice bids $2 million. Felix recognizes Laura Friendly.

The gavel cracks; Laura Friendly wins. Benji is furious. Alma rushes over, thrilled about the windfall for the drama club. Benji confronts Laura, demanding to know why she outbid them. Laura explains that she knows they broke the rules, citing the convenient lawsuit timing. She offers $1 million to anyone who can prove that the rules were violated. Benji explains that his parents learned about the contest through his journal; this subterfuge was necessary so that they could regain access to the money and help Freebie. Hearing this, Laura’s expression softens, and Benji calls the secrecy rule stupid. Leonard declares that the challenge has been terminated.

Ms. Rannells appears, demanding an explanation. Benji takes the microphone and confesses everything to the crowd, starting with his decision to steal $20 from Laura’s lost wallet. He explains the challenge and admits failure. He then sincerely apologizes to Laura for stealing. Laura mouths her thanks.

Tracey escorts them to the hallway, where Laura apologizes for the challenge. Ms. Rannells angrily confronts her, then leaves. Laura explains that she got caught up in the excitement of the challenge. As a consolation, she tells the boys that they can each keep one purchased item, excluding cars.

Felix and his mother sit outside. Felix apologizes for losing. His mother reassures him and asserts that worrying about money is her job. She uses a sports analogy where she is the coach, and he is the star player. She then reveals that the $10,000 he won from the half-court shot is helping the family. Felix asks for new sneakers, but his mother forbids him from getting costly ones.

Thursday morning, Benji brings donuts, and the boys discuss which item they will keep. Felix is debating between his iPhone and the Air Flights; Benji weighs keeping the Obi-Wan robe or the Hermès bag.

When Aidan mocks their failure, Benji and Felix use a philosophical quote from Reggie to dismiss him. When Aidan calls Benji “Barney,” Benji firmly corrects him, and Aidan backs down.

Ms. Chenoweth expresses sympathy over the debacle of the contest, and the students exchange ideas over what they would have done with the money. Listening to them gives Felix an idea.

Over a month later, Felix is playing basketball as Benji, Laura Friendly, and Reggie cheer from the stands. After the game, Reggie offers to drive the boys in his new Volkswagen.

Benji shares that Laura has just sent over the prototype for the mobile game that the two boys have developed: the Penny Doubled Challenge. It was Felix’s idea; they earn a penny per download to put toward their college funds. As they reflect on the challenge, they decide that good things came from it, including meeting Reggie, adopting Freebie, and obtaining Felix’s lucky sneakers. (Benji chose the Nike Air Flights as his one item; Felix now wears them. Felix chose his iPhone.)

Felix expresses certainty that he and Benji were fated to become friends. He teases Benji about being Alma’s boyfriend; Benji insists that they are only boyfriend and girlfriend in their roles in the school play.

Felix’s mother now works and attends school, and the family lives in an older apartment, where Felix has his own room, and pets are allowed. Freebie has fully recovered but still walks with a limp and fears cars. Laura has established an unlimited account for Freebie’s needs. As they all pass a hot dog truck, they recall the beginning of their adventure. They joke about being broke but having things that are far more valuable than money, including their friendship.