When I was called to the stand, the walk felt endless. The squeak of my shoes on the floor was deafening. I placed my hand on the bible, its leather cover cool under my palm.
"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" The words echoed in the silent room.
"I do," I said, my voice clear and steady, surprising me.
I was no longer just JM, the student. I was a witness for the truth. The weight of the oath settled on me, a solemn duty.