In this scene, we follow Nelson, a smart but insecure high school student, as he grapples with his crush on Trisha, who is drawn to "bad boys." After encouragement from his friends, Nelson decides to change his image to impress her. He adopts a bad boy persona, even changing his name to "Nelly." 

Despite his efforts, he finds himself struggling to maintain the act while trying to help Trisha with her studies. When he finally works up the courage to ask her to winter formal, she reveals she preferred the authentic Nelson and is now going with another guy, Jimmy. This moment underscores the theme of self-acceptance and the dangers of changing who you are for someone else's approval. 

The story highlights the importance of being true to oneself and the often misguided belief that you need to conform to someone else's ideal to be worthy of love or acceptance.