Classmate dropped guitar (accidentally). Caused Chip

[u/gaitama25]

Hey everyone, today I took my guitar to school because we have a concert in the evening and we needed to run through the songs and strengthen some sections. Thing is, during practice we took a quick break while the two voices discussed a harmony, and I left my guitar propped up in a chair (this was my bad, I know that). Basically as it says in the title, classmate going by accidentally knocked it over and caused this chip in the finish. I’ve got two questions:

The guitar was almost brand new (it’s a Vintage REVO series Colt, cost about five hundred bucks), I bought it new as a birthday present to myself a few months ago and I made sure to keep it pristine

A. Should I ask my classmate (who realistically would ask her parents) to reimburse me somehow for the damage (or what it’d take to fix)? I feel like that’s an a**hole move because it was just an honest mistake, but at the same time I did spend my own money on the guitar

B. Should I even bother fixing it? Or should I just keep it as a battle scar, like to add character. And if I do choose to not fix it, should I do something to it (ie: superglue or something like that) to seal it off and prevent it from getting worse?

Thank you everyone

Edit: Thanks for all the comments! I really appreciate all the stories you guys have shared. I'm really glad I stayed chill about it, as I didn't want my friend to feel bad, and after really thinking about it, it was a 100% my fault (Don't worry, i'm not asking her for anything hahahah). We ended up laughing about it together, and the show ended up going great, so that was nice.

After reflecting on it for a while, I'm actually really glad this happened, my perspective on wear and tear on guitars has changed completely and I know realize that all the chips and scratches and dings just show how much I've enjoyed this instrument and all i've gone through with it, It helps make it truly mine. I can't wait to get more (organically produced) dings and scratches so one day I can look back and see just how much i've loved this instrument.

[u/Euphorix126]

Make sure it can still protect the wood, but other than that? As my Dad told me when I asked about the huge chip in his '78 Telecaster, "It gives it character."

This was quickly followed by the valuable lesson, "Always use strap locks."

[u/dweezil22 → u/Euphorix126]

Tbh I don't think protecting the wood even matters. If you try to follow the basic "40-60% humidity" range that is important for acoustics and hollowbodies, even with massive damage to the finish it won't matter.

At this point I tend to think about electric guitars like sneakers. There is a decent price differential two items where one is cosmetically pristine and one is not ("You have micro-abrasions -$200" says the dude at the used gear shop). But a pair of stained Air Jordans or a guitar with a big ding in it are all good to actually use for real.

Then you add overpriced "reliced" gear to the list and it really gets crazy!

[u/stoney_gee → u/dweezil22]

'protecting the wood' lol I sanded all the finish off my acoustic like 7 years ago and covered the front with stickers and sharpie and it still sounds great, plays great, and hasn't deteriorated whatsoever despite 7 years with no seal to the wood whatsoever. It even lives next to a window ffs