I am very thankful for anyone who reads this fic. It was originally posted in 2013 with the same title, but I chose to recreate the story. Sunflower Fran is the lady who makes all the magic happen; she's an awesome beta. I own nothing.

Chapter 1 – Miss Magnolia Wins and Bullets Fly

The best way to describe the backstage area at any beauty pageant is controlled chaos with a side of sequins. Women are in various stages of dress, from formal to near nakedness in five inch heels.

You have to be careful not to trip over the multiple electrical cords, and the heat from the bulbs can make the area feel unbearable. Tables are covered with every imaginable cosmetic product, with powder tipping out of containers and onto the floor.

Dressers assisting the contestants remind them not to sit while wearing evening gowns, because you cannot risk wrinkling the fabric. There's an endless cloud of Elnett hairspray applied to every coiffed masterpiece.

Even nerves of steel are rattled when the five minute and two minute cues are announced.

To most people, this scene would be uncomfortable at best, but for Bella Swan, pageant veteran and current Miss Magnolia, it was all part of the usual routine. She could handle the pressure with ease like the professional she was.

There's no doubt in her mind that tonight she will walk away with her sixteenth title. It would bring her one step closer to her ultimate dream. The crown she'd coveted since winning Little Miss Tiny Tot South Carolina at age four. Her life's mission depended on this night. Bella knew she would travel to Atlantic City to become the next Miss America no matter who the competition was.

They had nothing on her.

After all, she won the Miss Swimsuit title a few nights ago with an air of confidence. Three of the contestants quit on the spot after she sang "Someone to Watch over Me." There was an ever-present smile on her face during the question and answer session. Even the seasoned judges were quite impressed by her platform on childhood obesity. She made it personal by highlighting her best friend's struggle to overcome the disorder. It was small touches like that which set her apart from the others and ultimately helped her win titles in the past.

The time had come for the final minutes of the pageant, and Bella took her place on the front tier. While the others were chatting and giving last minute hugs, she was clearing her mind. This really was not the time for socializing. Winning beauty contests was her career, not some hobby or part-time activity. No one was as serious about becoming the new Miss South Carolina as Bella Swan was. That crown belonged on her head.

A hush came over as the curtain rose, and the applause from the crowd was the only noise to be heard. The emcee's voice, along with his leering looks, were cringe-worthy, though. So long as she didn't have to endure another disgusting comment from him, then that was fine. It would all be worth the annoyance.

The finalists were announced, each looking more surprised than the last. Once called, they congregated and held hands in anticipation.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the new Miss South Carolina is...Miss Magnolia, Isabella Marie Swan!"

While she wasn't surprised, the way she carried herself across the stage spoke volumes. There was no denying how close this moment was to perfection. Bella had to stoop slightly while last year's winner pinned the glittery tiara to her hair. It seems that now her sequined dress wasn't nearly as heavy, the stay at her waist feeling a touch more comfortable. After the sash was carefully slid over her head, it was time for Bella to take her walk and smile victoriously at the crowd.

Her parents, Renee and Charles Swan, beamed with abundant pride as their daughter waved. The applause quickly became a standing ovation. But as much as Bella was enjoying this moment, there was something out of place. She took a quick look to the right and heard a sound that was wrong. Nothing in all of her training could have prepared her how to handle this.

The house lights came on rapidly as gunshots rang out through the auditorium. Bella fell to the floor as her heart pounded a million miles an hour. This could not be happening, not now, not ever. People were screaming, running for their lives. She rolled off the platform and down onto the floor, crawling underneath a row of seats, praying the shooter would stop. She feared not only for her life, but her parents and everyone who was present. Shootings in public were no longer a rare event, but no one in their right mind would have suspected an attack at the Miss South Carolina Pageant.

She wasn't sure how long she hid under the seats, but until the place was secure, Bella was not moving. From outside there was the sound of the first responders. This made her wonder how bad the scene was. The fact that this event was now a crime scene immediately hit with massive force. She thought about her parents, the other contestants. Was anyone hurt, or God forbid, dead? Her stomach twisted in knots, her breathing uneasy as she wiped at her face. The tiara was a few feet away, amazingly in near perfect condition from what Bella could see. This realization caused her to hyperventilate - it was such a small detail in the scheme of things.

Questions came quickly as Bella thought about how other people reacted during the shooting.

Should she come out with her arms up?

Was it safe to come out?

Where was the shooter?

Bella checked herself as best as she could and was relieved to find only scrapes and cuts. When she was absolutely certain the police were inside, she slid onto her stomach, carefully shielding herself while trying to get closer to the stage. A security officer was close enough to help her get up off the floor. He was telling Bella something about breathing more steadily when she saw blood and began gasping for air. The emcee was lying face down on the floor, his limbs spread. Only a short time ago, he'd announced her name as the winner. Now he was motionless.

Why had someone shot him?

What had he done?

"He needs help!" she yelled. "Oh, God, please get someone to help him! Where are the paramedics?"

"Ma'am, you need to calm down," the officer responded. How could she be calm? There was a man, one who could be dying, and no one was doing anything to help. The officer kept a tight hold on her waist while Bella fought to get out of his grip.

A police officer ran up on the stage, checked for a pulse, and let out a heavy breath. "This man is dead."

Something in his words kicked Bella into action. She might be a beauty pageant winner, but she hadn't gotten this far in life by being a coward. It was time to show her resilience. She kicked off her heels, took a deep breath, and chose to handle this in her own way.

Thank you all for reading. I have a group on facebook, Resilient Belle's Bookshelf, for those of you who want to join.