Question about USB cables

[Phoenix Gamma]

My wacom tablet was plugged into my laptop, and when I got up to get the door, I tripped over the USB cable, snapping it in two, much to my surprise.

I'm worried, because I need it for my finals, and I don't have the cash to replace it right now. btc said he'd try soldering it after class tomorrow, but I'm afraid I might have shorted it out since it was plugged into the computer when it was snapped. Windows also displayed some sort of USB device error a few times, but at that point the tablet was already snapped clean off.

I figured I'd bring an extra cable just in case we need to frankenstien a different plug on the end, but I'm still really nervous. Anyone know enough about electronics to give me any kind of prognosis or advice?