Hey BillyBob. Where I went to high school, fights were a regular thing to see (or be involved in, depending). If somebody attacks you, whether verbally or physically, you have every right to defend yourself. From what I understand about suspension, the school will suspend both parties for a time, no matter who is the instigator, or whether it was self defense, or whatever. I think the rationale is that it gives both a chance to cool their heads. If they were allowed to come back to school the next day after the fight, then they would probably get into it again because they are still upset, and chances are it would be much worse. This is what the schools try to avoid, and it is for everybody's safety. A couple of days at home to get over it and think is generally the best recipe for a resolution. After that, if the issue is ongoing, then they'll bring in the proper authorities to deal with it, but usually it just blows over.