Tension was building up between the brothers. Their arguments became more frequent and bitter and whenever they were together it seemed as if a thick wall was separating them. 

Melanie had noticed their indifferent behavior towards one another but couldn't figure out the reason behind it. Partly because of the fact that they hid it from her. 

In front of her they acted as if everything was normal and perfect but she knew there was something wrong. Even though she was merely a seven year old girl still she could see the glares they used to give each other and the way they remained stiff and severe. 

Twice before she had caught them arguing harshly and even though they had quit because of her she knew they would start again anytime soon when she won't be around. 

Even her birthdays became dull and boring with their lack of enthusiasm and cold behavior. Of course they did their best to make her day special but something would happen causing them to start arguing or skulking in corners frowning at each other. 

She was exhausted from their continuous fights but had no idea on how to put a stop to it. She was fully aware that someday all that anger they had been piling inside would make them explode and they would end up hating each other if this continued any longer. 

And sure enough one day it took it's toll on them and everything boiled up for the Salvatores ripping them apart.

"Damon! Stefan! Stop," she cried shaking with fear. 

Both the brothers were at each other's throats and a heated fight was going on. She couldn't understand what they were saying since it was in Italian but she could conceive that they were throwing insults at one another accompanied by strings of curses. 

But they weren't arguing with words alone. A battle just as fierce had raged between them. She was cowering away in a corner trembling violently. The whole house looked like a war zone with everything shattered. 

Melanie was scared out of her wits. With a lot of effort she crept out hoping to stop the fight. But she was shocked to death when she saw Damon's face had begun to change and in a second he had deadly fangs and veins around his eyes. 

She stumbled back and was more surprised to see the same thing happening to Stefan. "Wh-what are you?" she stuttered. 

"Vampires," Damon replied and aimed another blow at Stefan. 

The moment she heard the word it seemed as if her soul had been sucked out of her. She very nearly collapsed on the floor, "no... it can't be." Her voice was quivering with fear. 

"Want me to prove that?" Damon turned to face her. 

She stumbled back again. In an instant Stefan was by her side, "you won't touch her, Damon. Hurt me if you will but not Melanie. I won't allow it." 

He let out a bitter mocking laugh, "I'm not that idiotic to hurt her, brother. You know I can't and she knows that too." 

At those words Melanie slightly relaxed. She knew Damon was sincere when he said that he won't hurt her. But the two brothers were dead bent on killing each other and it scared her immensely. She couldn't bear to lose either one of them. 

"Please s-stop fighting," she pleaded. They were glaring at each other and if looks could kill they were already dead. "You a-are b-brothers, for God's sake!" she begged, "d-don't fight p-please." 

Damon hissed, "its so unfortunate that I have an idiot for a brother." 

Stefan hissed back, "the feeling is mutual, trust me." 

She was stuck between both of them. She had come in between them hoping they would stop so as not to let her get hurt. But she knew it wouldn't last long; eventually Damon would push her aside and both would start battling again. 

She had to prevent any more enraged fights and she simply had to settle the matter between them. They were standing on either side of her still staring daggers at one another while she was trembling under the intensity of their glares. 

"You're scaring me, okay? And I hate getting scared. So please... stop," she finally managed to get the words out. 

Stefan's expression softened deliberately for her while Damon's eyes flickered with concern for a single moment and then were blank again. At that instant she realized how menacing Damon really was, "why don't you make it up so everything could be fine again?" 

Damon growled, "easier said than done. I've had enough of Stefan. And I'm not making up to him. No way. I can't live with him under the same roof any longer. So get out, brother." 

Melanie spoke, "hey what the hell are you doing?" 

He rolled his eyes, "kicking him out of the house, what else?" 

She asked, "but why?" 

He hissed, "I can't tolerate him." 

Stefan nodded, "neither can I. You don't have to kick me out. I'm saving you the trouble and leaving already." 

She saw both of them were serious, "wait, what about me?" Their eyes focused on to her then. 

"You have to choose, Mel," Damon stated as if it was the simplest thing in the world, "either Stefan or me."