Question

Reggie accidently backs over Tom's bike in the parking lot after school. Tom approaches Reggie ready to fight. Tom yells at Reggie and starts pushing him. What should Reggie do first?

defend himself by pushing Tom back

step away from Tom, apologize, and ask him to talk about it

walk away from Tom and forget about it

ask Tom why he left his bike in the parking lot

Answer 1

Pushing Tom back will only escalate the situation and devolve into violence; both sides could get hurt, and nothing is resolved.
Stepping away, apologizing, and asking to talk about it would minimize the immediate threat, defuse the situation, and open the opportunity for both parties to reach an understanding. This seems like a good option.
Walking away and forgetting about it would avoid the immediate conflict, but it does not solve the underlying issue and really just puts off the problem until later.
Asking Tom why he left the bike in the parking lot might help clarify the situation, but this should be done after Tom has calmed down, so it wouldn't be a good option for a next move.
All in all, I think the second option makes the most sense.