Spencer snapped too, "What do you mean I am a boy? Are you confused about it? Of course, I am a boy!"

The other girl stood up this time, "Who are you? What's your name?"

Spencer had completely lost it this time, "Why should I tell you my name? You are standing in my house! So, tell me your name!"

John thought it was high time to stop this fight, "Everyone let's just calm down. OK? Please take a seat, everyone."

Being defeated the three of them took a seat.

John took a deep breath, "OK. So, let's introduce ourselves. I am John. That guy's younger brother. That guy is Spencer."

"Don't call me Spencer, "Spencer protested.

John gave him an "I know you are older than me but I will punch you if you open your mouth now."

John continued, "My big brother goes by the name Nicole which is short for Nicholas, his middle name."

"And I thought he was a girl.." Murmured the girl with spectacles.

John gave her a warm smile, "Yes, see that was the misunderstanding. Now, what are your names?"

The other girl was sitting crossing her legs, "Call me Penny and she is.."

"Eleanor."

Spencer looked at Eleanor, the girl with spectacles.

John smiled again, "Nice to meet you, Eleanor and Penny."

John took a seat beside Spencer, "I read a lot of books. But.. I don't think I have read any by you two."

Penny laughed, "I am the editor and she is the author. And I think you have definitely read at least one book by her. Have you read Mr.Brown's book?"

John became a bit confused about why they were asking about his favourite author.

Spencer, on the other hand, was smart enough to guess, "Is it a similar situation? I mean is Mr. Brown your penname Ms.Eleanor?"

The way he said Miss really bugged Eleanor. Still with a smile, she said, "Bingo! 10 points to Spencer."

Spencer rolled his eyes. Meanwhile, John was having a fan moment.

He quickly shook Eleanor's hand, "Big fan! Big fan! I love your books, especially  "A Killer Inside" I loved Maddison!!!"

Eleanor wasn't used to receiving such compliments. She just shook her head.

"You are making the girl uncomfortable, idiot! Leave her now," warned Spencer.

John suddenly realised, "Sorry about that!" And rubbed the back of his head.

Penny fake coughed," Uhmm... let's get to work. About the deal...."

"I am not working with her," Spencer cut Penny's sentence and got up.

"May I ask why?"Penny asked.

"She is a fraud. Faking her gender to be liked more by her readers. May I right Ms.Eleanor?" He raised his eyebrows.

John tried to stop him, "Brother, stop!"

Penny closed the file in front of her, "Then please return the advance money you took from us."

Spencer looked at John, "Why did you take money in advance?"

John didn't answer.

"Whatever, "Spencer murmured and started leaving the room.

"Wait.." this voice was Eleanor's that's for sure but there was something different. Anger? Determination? Spencer couldn't put a finger on it.

"I don't think I need to explain to you why I use a male pen name. Why don't you tell me the reason for using the name Nicole?"

Spencer tried to say something.

"Don't even try! See you are a hypocrite and I don't work with hypocrites. Let's go, Penny."

Penny for the first time in life felt proud of Eleanor. Eleanor was not a soft-spoken and backboneless girl rather she knew when she should understand for herself. Penny quietly followed Eleanor.

On her way out, Eleanor instructed Penny to drop her.

After they had left, John looked at Spencer, "Great job! Now I have to return the money."

"Do it, then. It's not like we need it."

"Are you living in a bubble? I am doing two part-time jobs and my mom is working two shifts in the hospital. And you are saying we don't need money?"

Spencer was confused, "What do you mean?"

"Exactly! You don't know anything. How could you if you stay in your room for the entire time!" Said John in a mocking way.

Spencer warned him, "I am your elder brother, John. Don't talk to me that way."

John clapped, "What a great elder brother you are! I can't even apply for an internship because I won't get much money. What are you doing?"

"John!" Spencer warned again.

"John, what?? What? Huh? Tell me! I am fed up with you. You don't do anything for the family."

Spencer was hurt, "Are you saying I haven't done anything for you ever?"

John was hurt too," Of course, you have. I remember you taking me to school and saving me from bullies. But, what happened to that brother? You are so useless now..."

*Thump* there was a loud sound. Spencer had slapped John very loudly.

Tears gathered in John's eyes, he grabbed his cheek and stormed away.

After some time, Spencer's mother returned home. She found the door open and saw Spencer sitting in a corner.

"What happened my dear?" She caressed his hair.

This was probably the first time Spencer had slapped John and he meant it. He explained everything to his mother excluding the part about him being an illustrator.

His mother became emotional," John has been overworking himself, dear. You have to understand too. He always wanted you to return to yourself. "

Spencer started crying and hugged her, "Mom..."

"I understand. Maybe, he shouldn't have said things that way but he meant well."

"I should go and get him back..."Spencer thought.

John, on the other hand, was walking. He couldn't believe his brother slapped him. He tried to stop his tears somehow.

He saw a bakery and entered the shop.
There were many items so he became confused, " What do you recommend?" He asked the girl in the reception.

Suddenly, he recognised the girl, she was Eleanor.

Eleanor became a bit flustered, "Our chocolate donuts are most famous."

"Pack them please."

Eleanor started packing.

John tried to start a conversation, "About my brother.."

"Can we please not talk about this? My boss doesn't know.."

However, her boss, Melissa had already noticed.

Melissa approached them, "Do you know him, Eleanor?"

Eleanor was confused about how to reply.

John replied, "She's my friend. I wanted to talk about something. "

Melissa smiled, "No worries. Her shift is over now."

That's how Eleanor found her and John sitting on the park bench.

John said," I am sorry. I didn't ask my brother beforehand."

"I shouldn't have talked like that too... sorry about it." Replied Eleanor.

"It's the first time we had a serious fight, you know. I didn't think about what he wanted. I am so angry with myself."

Eleanor looked at John's hand which was resting on his lap. She saw a few drops of water. Then, she looked at his face and realised he was crying. This wasn't Good. She didn't know how to console people.

She took a tissue out of her back and handed it to him.

"Sorry. You two fought because of all this."

John replied with a sad smile, "No. We fought because of my stupidity. "

Spencer was searching for his brother like a crazy person. John didn't take his phone with him. Because Spencer hadn't been out for a long time, he had no idea about the roads.

Finally, he found John sitting on a bench with a girl. Eleanor?

He rushed to John.

"John... look... I am sorry. I have acted like an idiot. I should have been more considerate."

Before John could say anything, he looked at Eleanor, "I have been a jerk to you. I am sorry. We all have our reasons. I shouldn't have acted that way. Can I be your illustrator, please?"

Eleanor was a bit taken aback.

John stood up and slapped his brother's shoulder and hugged him, "Now, we are equal. You are an idiotic older brother."

Spencer hugged him back, "I am older by age. But mentally, you are the older one."

Eleanor felt happy to see them that way.

Breaking the hug, Spencer said, "Eleanor, I am sorry for being a jerk. Can I be your Illustrator, please?"

Eleanor laughed. At that moment, suddenly Spencer felt something. It was almost like his heart was melting.

John noticed his brother's change and smirked.

Eleanor replied," I will talk to my editor, Penny."

John said, "Give us your number. So, that we can contact you."

He nudged his brother, "Take out your phone, man."

Spencer suddenly became flustered, "Yeah."

John continued, "Give her our number too."

And that's how they exchanged numbers.