This chapter title is good because it shows punny I am. Get it? A Photo Finish for Photos on the Wall? I'm going to stop now.

Photo #37: A Photo Finish

Seven minutes was always a big deal for Eadlyn. It determined not only the firstborn child of Maxon and America but the new and first female heir of Illéa. Seven minutes changed history. If it were any different, Ahren would've the heir and the rules would've remain.

Then again, if Ahren were the heir instead of her, nothing happening at this moment would cease to exist. Her mother will be alive without her life hanging by a thread, her brother would still be here and not married to Camille, and she wouldn't even have a Selection because she wouldn't need one.

The next photo on the wall shows a blur with some distinguishable features - like herself with Ahren. All Eadlyn knows is that like the photo itself, that event went by in a blur. It was the fastest seven minutes of her life.

-o-

"Come on, Ahren," Eadlyn begs. "Even if you mail your love letter tomorrow, Camille will still get it at the same time."

Ahren looks up from his writing station with a negative look on his face. His twin is begging and he doesn't want to agree. Eadlyn's never asked for much which is why he finds himself succumbing to that pressure.

"Fine," Ahren says, putting his pen down. "I'll meet you outside in ten."

"Thank you!" Eadlyn pipes before prancing out of his room.

In the courtyard of the royal garden, Eadlyn paces back and forth all while stretching her legs and arms. Osten lies down on his belly, playing with a stick and some rocks. Ahren shuffles down the stairs and joins Eadlyn. Both of them wearing track clothes.

"I got the camera," Ahren says, passing his twin their father's camera.

Eadlyn takes the camera and gives it to Osten.

"Here," Eadlyn says to Osten, "run to the rose bush all the way over there. Take our picture the exact moment we run past you."

Osten nods as he runs off to the rose bush and parks himself on a spot with the camera ready. Eadlyn looks at Ahren, excited for this.

"Are you ready?" Eadlyn asks, completely pumped.

"Can you run a mile in seven minutes?" Ahren asks, a tad nervous.

"I can run a mile," Eadlyn replies, "just not under seven minutes. What about you?"

Ahren takes a breath. "We'll find out today."

"I was born first, just letting you know."

"Only because I was a gentleman in the womb and let you out first."

Eadlyn snickers.

The two of them stand beside each other at the palace doors, crouching down into the starting position. Their fingers graze the cobblestones as they look ahead and see how far Osten is. Both of them look up and anticipate when Osten will start the race. He counts down from five and when he hits one, he throws his arms in the air and the twins begin running as fast as they can.

There is no conclusive evidence on average one-mile run times because there is no scientifically agreed-upon average runner. Opinion varies widely, but people say the average is between seven and ten minutes. Eadlyn and Ahren aren't athletes, but they're fit.

The two of them run side-by-side, unintentionally keeping pace with each other. Ahren wipes the back of his hand across his sweaty forehead as Eadlyn brushes the baby hairs sticking up. Although when they both glance at each other, they hide their vulnerability. They're both panting in desperate need of water, but neither of them are going to bail - they have a race to win.

The closer they get to Osten, the more they force their legs to pick up the pace (even if not possible). Eadlyn and Ahren exert as much force as they can in order to win. They don't even care about the whole seven minutes idea, especially since they're over that. Osten picks up the camera and puts it to his eye to have it ready for the big moment.

Eadlyn lets out a scream as her and Ahren pass Osten and a camera clicks. The twins stop running and take some time to catch their breaths from that challenging run.

Eadlyn holds a hand up. Her other hand grips her cramping side as she catches her breath. "I totally won that."

"No." Ahren gasps for air. "You did not."

"Did so."

They both look over at Osten who walks over to them. They need photo proof of who won. Osten holds up the camera and shows them the photo he took which ended up not bring great quality.

"Osten!" Eadlyn exclaims. "We can see anything. This picture is blurry!"

"Well, you and Ahren were running!" Osten argues back.

Ahren and Eadlyn squish their heads together as they begin examining the photo on the tiny screen of the camera. They thoroughly go through each streak of color, pretending it to be them so they can use it to their advantage of winning. The two of them crossed the finish line at roughly the same time so even if Osten was watching with his own two eyes, he couldn't declare a victor.

"Osten?" The twins ask for a second opinion.

When they turn around to ask their younger brother, they see him scurrying away. Their natural reaction would be to chase after him, but they're way too tired to do so.

Wow, this was long.

I am going to be changing the format of my authors note towards the end just so it makes the entirety of my author notes smaller. I promise that the next chapter will contain some Maxon and America fluff.

Stay Tuned - the Schreave kids will have a small mystery to solve.