NOT THE SEQUEL NOT THE SEQUEL NOT THE SEQUEL NOT THE SEQUEL NOT THE SEQUEL NOT THE SEQUEL NOT THE SEQUEL NOT THE SEQUEL NOT THE SEQUEL NOT THE SEQUEL NOT THE SEQUEL.

Okay so this isn't the sequel (no, really?). This is kind of a little in-between drabble story. I'm not even completely done with this little story, but I figure you guys have waited long enough for something Over-The-Rainbow-related. I mean, I'm still getting people favoriting and alerting it, and it's been...*goes to check*...7 FLIPPIN MONTHS since I updated that junk! Thanks for the luv, guys. ^_^

I am also hard at work on the first draft of the sequel, and I can already tell it's going to be loo-oong-I'm not even halfway through the story, and there's about 12 chapters! 0_0 And I don't even want to put up the first chapter until I'm done with the draft, in case I have to go back and change things. I don't think I'll have to, but better safe than sorry, right?

Anyway, I'm rambling. This takes place between the first and second stories (duh).

Enjoy!

I groaned as I tried to decide if I wanted to be awake or not. At the moment, I was leaning towards not.

However, I had a sneaking feeling that there was a presence other than me in the room.

I opened one eye and found myself face-to-face (literally) with Kirk.

I yelled and bolted upright. "Jesus, Kirk, personal space much?" I chastised him as I backed away from him as much as I could without getting up.

"Well, I couldn't miss that reaction, could I?" He choked out between fits of laughter.

"What do you want, Kirk?" I asked, frustrated.

"So a brother can't scare the shit out of his sister in order to ensure that he's the first to wish her a happy birthday?" He asked, faking hurt.

"No, he can't! It's mean and-" I stopped short. "Wait, what was that last part?"

"Your birthday." Realization dawned on his face and he broke out into another fit of his deep laughter. "Oh my God, did you forget?"

"Shut up," I threw a pillow at him, but this did not subdue his laughter. He was holding onto the door frame now for support, laughing so hard tears were falling.

"God, DoDo, only you," He choked out. "Only you would forget your own birthday."

I glared at him, but he was right. 'I forgot my own 17th birthday,' I thought.

I stretched and yawned before walking over to Kirk. "If you're finished..."

"Hold on," He held up his hand as a few more laughs escaped him. "Whew!" He wiped the tears from his eyes. "Ok, I'm done."

"So, did you have something planned for my birthday, or was that about it?" I crossed my arms.

"Oh, no, my little DoDo," He patted me hard on the head before I shoved his hand away. "I got a breakfast fit for a princess.

I walked into the kitchen to see a McDonald's bag. I excitedly peered inside.

"Hash browns!" I cheered.

"And there's a Scrubs marathon all day today," Kirk added.

"Best birthday ever!" I declared as I grabbed my hash browns, plopped down on the couch next to Kirk, and flicked on the TV.

Later that night...

Kirk suddenly clicked the TV off.

"Hey!" I jumped. "That was the one where they use the interns to play Space Invaders!"

"Calm yourself, little one," Kirk sighed and made for our mini-fridge. He turned and showed me a half gallon of cookies-n'-creme ice cream.

"Have I ever told you what an awesome brother you are?" I said, my eyes fixed on the ice cream.

"Only when I give you food," Kirk answered as he scooped out two helpings of ice cream and placed them on two paper plates. He stuck a candle in one and placed it in front of me before lighting it.

"Make a wish," He chuckled.

"What am I, four?" I retorted.

I looked at the candle, then closed my eyes.

An image of an emerald city flashed across my mind.

I made my wish and blew out my candle.

"Whatcha wish for?" Kirk chuckled again.

"I wished for you to hand me a spoon so I can eat this thing," I smirked at him.

"Oh, no, you told me, now it won't come true," Kirk frowned in fake sadness.

A few clawings later, I happily ate my ice cream with my plastic spoon.

"One more thing," Kirk smiled. He withdrew from behind his back something small and wrapped with a bow on top.

"Oh, Kirk, come on, you didn't have to get me anything," I said in shock. Where in the hell did Kirk get all this money?

"Sure I did. You're my little sister, it's the rules," He insisted as he shoved it into my lap.

I stared at the small, rectangular thing for a moment before opening it.

As soon as I figured out what it was, I screamed, both out of joy and pure shock.

"Jesus, warn a guy, huh?" Kirk rubbed his ears in pain.

"But-how did-how could you possibly-?"

"A buddy of mine at the shop also part-times at an Apple store. He got it for me real cheap. It's a Nano, it's not exactly new, but I know you're all crazy about music, so..." Kirk trailed off awkwardly.

I plugged the earbuds in, turned it on, and pushed "Music".

"Wait a minute," I stopped. "There's already-"

"Yeah, I put some songs on there for ya," Kirk was staring at his feet now. "You do like it, don'tcha?"

I trapped him in a hug.

"I love it! You're the best, Kirk."

"Yeah, okay, great, get offa me," He shoved me away. "Just go in your room and listen to it already."

I nodded and ran into my room, shutting the door.

Oh my god, I still couldn't believe it. I'd always wanted an iPod, but never in a million years dreamed I'd actually have one.

I went to the song list to decide which song I wanted to listen to first.

'No, wait,' I decided. 'I want it to be a surprise.'

So I pushed Shuffle.

Yet another lame, unoriginal title. *sigh* Well, updates for this puppy are gonna be fairly frequent, and there's about five chapters. So I hope this can tide you guys over for a little while until I can at least finish the first draft. ^_^; See ya soon!