"She's really sweet, you don't have to worry about a thing."

"Will she really be okay with this?"

"She'd adopt the whole school if she could..."

The bus ride was filled with excitement, nervousness, and a pinch of bitterness. The three boys sat in the very back of the bus, Dante and Mook at the window seats while Gang Ho sat between them. They've been on the bus for a while now, but none of them checked the times to keep track of the ride time. Could you really blame them? They were simply too excited to check.

Mook spent the ride trying to assure Gang Ho that his mother would love to have him come and stay with them during breaks. Dante spent the time actually answering the questions Gang Ho had for them. It was a little after sunrise when they reached their station. After securing their luggage, the three boys made their way down the steps and towards the long and winding path to the village.

The village residents were not expecting to see a tiger join Ms. Lee's children on their journey home, but they gave the three boys a warm welcome regardless. If Mook and Dante were fine with it, then they were as well. The children ran up to them as usual, very excited to a real life tiger. Gang Ho gave an uneasy smile, still feeling as if he were an intruder. That is until a young girl, a toddler, cling onto him and kept blabbering how cool she thought he seemed. It took a while, but the boys were finally able to separate themselves from the children. They began to walk to the Lee residence in a comfortable silence.

"Mom, we're home."

The three boys walked into the small, but cozy house.

"I'm in the kitchen!"

The three filed into the kitchen one right after the other. Ms. Lee smiled as she picked up an egg and turned to the boys. A surprised look filled her eyes, but her smile never wavered.

"Hello boys! You made it back early this time. Who is your friend here?"

Dante spoke up before the others did, obvious excitement radiating off of him.

"This is Gang Ho, our roommate back on campus. We were wondering if he could stay with us, his dad kind of kicked him out."

Ms. Lee smiled and nodded, but Dante and Mook knew she was angry the second the egg bursted in her hand.

"Parents can be so cruel to their own children, I can never understand why a father would kick his own son out after so many years of supporting him. Oh dear, I made a mess. I'll clean this up, you boys get that extra bed into you room. I made some changes to the house, so that room is bigger. I'm currently expanding the rest of the house. Go on now, show him the room."

As she turned to get a rag, the boys hurried off. Gang Ho didn't hesitate to speak up.

"Your mother seemed angry."

"She is. She's angry at your father for abandoning you. She can't stand parents who do such a thing."

It took a while, but the boys finally managed to rearranged the bedroom. Mook's bed and things were on and against the right wall, Dante's on the left. Gang Ho's bed was right next to the window. They each had a desk for themselves.

"Breakfast is ready!"

All three took note of their rumbling stomachs and hurried to the dining room.

The boys got to work after breakfast. Dante and Mook did their usual chores around the property, only at a slower pace. They decided to teach a very eager Gang Ho, who's only work experience was helping his father's story telling tent, how to do chores around the house. One by one, they completed each chore. From chopping wood to feeding the animals, Gang Ho enjoyed the opportunity he had to learn new skills. They had finally finished everything after noon.

When they got inside, they were confused to see Ms. Lee dressed nicely. Before they could ask, she told them that they need to change. They shrugged and got ready to join her, picking out their finest clothing. When they joined her outside, the four of them began to walk into the populated part of the village. They made it to a building, and Mook recognized what they were doing.

"Ms. Lee! What a pleasure to have you back! Back for another portrait?"

"Yes sir. A family portrait, please."

"Right this way, ma'am! It seems like you gain more family everyday. Three boys now, is it?"

"Yes sir, I wouldn't have it any other way."

They ate at a nice restaurant after their portrait was made. They made it home and prepared for bed. Ms. Lee hung up the portrait on their wall of portraits. Each boy had they own copy of it on their desks.

A family portrait of Ms. Lee with Mook, Dante and Gang Ho all smiling.