I am a sophomore in high school and yesterday in the library while working my research paper, my computer fell from it's stand after being put on improperly by someone else (it was literally almost falling off before I used it). After taking a good look for about ten minutes, I saw the only damage was that the side panel of the computer had popped off a tiny bit. Now today, I am feeling guilt because of the fact that I didn't tell anyone what happened and I am worried that I will end up getting screwed for it. I have no idea what I should do. The damage to the computer wasn't bad, no internal damage at all, just a tine bit on the side panel. An I get in trouble for this and if I do, what sort of punishment? I have never been this worried about going to school in my life. :\
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You sound like a really good person. The only way that you are going to feel better and proud of yourself is to have a discussion with the teacher in charge. Tell her just what you said here. Don't let this hang around in your mind. Maybe it would help to talk about it to a friend before you talk to your teacher. You have nothing to be ashamed of when you tell.
Since the computer wasn't damaged, you could just forget this. If you are feeling really guilty,or worried about getting in trouble, tell a teacher what happened, that the only damage is that the side panel popped off a little bit, and at the time you didn't think about reporting it because the computer worked just fine. As long as the computer actually does still work just fine that is. As long as you didn't intentionally knock the computer off it's stand, I don't see why you would receive any punishment. You did say the computer was literally almost falling off before you used it, so what you should have done was put it properly on it's stand, and then it wouldn't have fallen off to begin with, and then you wouldn't be worried about going to school.
If they ask you about it, do what I'd do. Lie.