Story in a nutshell: Elena talks boys with Isabel.

So there is supposed to be an episode where Mateo and Gabe fight for Elena's attention (not attraction thank goodness). Normally when I write Elena's thoughts on this kind of thing she's older and a bit wiser. For this I'm keeping her sixteen and how she might feel after this. Not sure what happens in said episode so kept pretty vague. So keeping it pretty neutral.

Elena lay on her bed with the nightgown gathered at her hips. Her feet up and resting against her headboard as she looked at her ceiling. Why did everything have to be so complicated? She thought about her friends and her family. Why is it confusing? Not too long ago she had learned that both Gabe and Mateo had a crush on her. Or at least strongly suspected it. To nip it in the bud she called them all friends and said that she didn't want to court anyone right now. Neither boy seemed to mind but who knew what they were thinking.

Behind her came a knock at the door. Not even bothering to move she just shouted. "It's open," she said blowing a piece of hair from her face. Then her sister came into the room as she smiled at the younger girl. Shrugging at her position Isabel came over to her and put her feet up too.

"You know mami always said that we shouldn't put our feet up like this," said Isabel looking at her sister. Then both girls smiled at each other as they grew quiet. Elena could only think about her day and how she could have made it better.

"I think both Mateo and Gabe like me," she said wondering if Isabel had known or not. "And I'm really not sure what to do about it. Or even think."

Isabel said nothing as if this was her cue to just keep talking.

"And I like them both, I really do, just as friends. I feel as if I was in a relationship with either of them it wouldn't really go anywhere. I don't know anything about boys and wish that mami was here to talk about it."

Her mother, she thought with a pang, she wished that she could talk to her about things. Elena pushed her foot off and then landed back on the bed frame. Mami always said the right thing at just the right moment.

"Why do you think it wouldn't go anywhere?" asked Isabel curious. She thought the whole aspect of boys was just silly. She could do her inventing or hang out with her friends. Besides she couldn't pick between the two either.

Elena looked thoughtful for a moment. Mateo was very, cute, she thought was the correct word. He had that nice floppy hair and slender figure. Kind eyes and his awkward nature was just adorable she thought.

"Well Mateo is really sweet and can do some pretty amazing things with magic. I'd feel as if I'd be holding him back. He wants to be a great wizard like his grandfather. I don't know how that would work being in a relationship long term. Especially if I'd have to replace him to be a king consort or not. Mami was a consort and even she had a lot responsibilities."

She thought of his sweet smile and how they seemed to bounce off each other, despite being opposites in some ways. The way his hair flopped over his face. The way his face light up whenever he talked about magic and impressing her with it.

"What about Gabe?" asked Isabel as Elena switched gears in her mind. Then she thought about Gabe. She had to admit he was physically attractive, she never thought of physical appearance as important before. However, she liked his muscular frame much like her dad and slim waist. Plus, he looked really good in gold.

"Gabe is brave and confident which are great traits to have, he's a bit of a dork when it comes to certain things. I don't know, he's just as inexperienced as I am I guess. I'd be taking away his freedom just as much as Mateo being in a relationship with me."

She thought of Gabe and that she could learn just as much from him as he could from her. She liked the way he would touch her gentle and yet strong. His enthusiastic smile was contagious and admired his serious nature for his job.

Both girls remained quiet as Elena could only think. What could she have done to make them think that she could like them back that way. Sure, she was affectionate with them but that was everyone. Could they really be thinking touching them or dancing with them be taken as romantic? Her personality would attract people with her confidence she supposed.

She looked down at herself and thought it could be her. Elena never thought herself as beautiful before. Pretty, yes, but never enough to turn heads. Her eyes were too big or her nose was too small. Then she never had curves like some of those other girls.

"What if you do start to like one of them?" asked Isabel concerned. She had heard that Elena said that all of them were friends but things always changed. Schools like the royal academy or royal prep hoped that they were friends first and then fell in love for marriage alliances.

Elena thought of that one, what if they wanted to make that sacrifice? And she really wanted one of them to help her rule? "I think I'd have to talk to them about it. Together," she pressed firmly wondering how well that would go over. She knew she had to get married one day. It wasn't something that she had to deal with right now. More like ten years or so from now.

It was quiet between them as Elena didn't want to worry about this. Instead, she thought of her mother. What would she do in this situation? Elena thought she handled it pretty well but there was that doubt that nagged her.

"If you had to pick?"

"Neither right now," she said. "I'm going to enjoy being crown princess and worry about boys when I'm queen. And when something does happen you will be the first to know. After all you're going to be the godmother of my first child."

After all she did plan on having a kid and maybe more than one. At this Isabel grinned and took her sisters hand squeezing it. "I'm looking forward to it."

"Want to sneak down to the kitchens to see if there's any empanada's left?"

"Do you have to ask?" said Isabel as they just grinned at each other before laughing. Until that time came she was going to spend as much time with her family and friends as possible, she thought as they skipped off to the kitchens.