What Started As A Quick Loan Turned Into A School Investigation Over A Pricey Math Tool
A missing device led OP to involve school staff for help.
In school and college environments, sharing items like calculators, laptops, or pencils is part of everyday life. Students often lend or borrow things during group work, homework sessions, or exams. In most cases, these exchanges happen smoothly, and everything is returned in good condition.
However, problems can arise when an item of high value goes missing. What begins as a simple favor can suddenly lead to tension, suspicion, and stress - especially if the item is expensive, personalized, or essential for academic success.
It’s a reminder that even among classmates, trust has its limits when personal property is involved. That’s what happened to one student, referred to here as OP.
As a member of the math team, OP relied heavily on a graphing calculator that was both expensive and customized with settings and programs for competitions. During a team practice, a fellow student asked to use the calculator. OP agreed, expecting it to be returned shortly.
However, the teammate stepped outside, did not come back with it, and later gave vague answers when asked about it. Over the next few days, OP repeatedly tried to get the calculator back.
Messages went unanswered or received delayed replies, and the calculator never reappeared. Another teammate even mentioned that the borrower had a history of being careless with borrowed belongings.
Concerned, OP informed the coach, who advised waiting a bit, but eventually escalated the matter to the school office when the calculator still had not been returned. Security footage later showed the teammate leaving practice carrying something that looked like a calculator, though the image quality made it unclear.
While the investigation was still ongoing, the borrower accused OP of making unnecessary trouble. From the OP’s point of view, the decision to report the calculator as missing was reasonable.
Valuable items are not easy to replace, and polite reminders had already been ignored. Turning to the school staff ensured there was an official record and a chance of recovering the property. It highlights the importance of respecting others’ belongings and the difficult position students face when trust is broken.
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RedditOP needs to tell their parents.
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OP did the right thing by confronting him.
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He had more than enough chances to give it back.
RedditThe teammate is on the hook to either return or replace the OP property.
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He is a thief.
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No one has held him accountable so far.
RedditIf you borrow something, you should return it.
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OP has every right to report it stolen.
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Expert Opinion
The situation highlights how trust can be easily shattered when personal property is involved, especially in a school setting where peer relationships are crucial. OP's decision to escalate the matter reflects a need for security and accountability, which can often trigger anxiety when valuable items go missing. This behavior showcases a common psychological pattern where individuals prioritize their sense of fairness and justice, leading to actions that may seem extreme but are rooted in self-protection and a desire to reclaim what's rightfully theirs.
OP was right to take action. The calculator was valuable, customized, and essential for academic work.
After multiple reminders and no clear response from the borrower, the situation went beyond a simple misunderstanding. Reporting it to the coach and then the school ensured accountability and increased the chances of recovering the item.
While involving the administration may feel uncomfortable, it was the most practical step once personal attempts failed. In this case, OP’s actions were not about exaggerating the problem but about protecting personal property.
The responsibility ultimately lies with the person who failed to return what was borrowed.
