16. Nose

Complete story — includes the ending

Frustrated with his lack of social skills with girls; Ricky confides in the guys, wondering what's wrong with him and why he can't get dates. Enter Hayley Green, a new student whom Ricky is instantly smitten with. After some encouragement from Kevin and the guys, Ricky finally asks Hayley to the spring dance. However, Hayley has an oversized nose; and Kevin, Jeff, and Chuck can't help but make fun of it. In English class, teacher Mr. Arkinson asks Hayley to read her paper about something that really bothers her about herself. Thinking to face her problem head-on, she jokes how her weakness is shopping because no matter how hard she tries, nothing really matches her nose but she accepted it because that's who she is. Her presentation backfires when the class laughs at her instead, leaving Ricky embarrassed. So Ricky backs out by lying about having to take his cousin to the hospital for an operation on her webbed feet. At the dance, Hayley still shows up, and Kevin encourages Ricky to tell her the truth. Ricky then asks Hayley to dance, but she came with a date—class president and captain of the football team Brett Davis, who was moved by her speech in class. Apparently, Hayley simply knew herself and accepted who she was, unlike everyone else in school. Guest Starring: Renee Humphrey as Hayley Green; David Brisbin as English teacher Mr. Arkinson; Eric Dane as Brett. Absent: Dan Lauria as Jack Arnold; Alley Mills as Norma Arnold; Jason Hervey as Wayne Arnold; Josh Saviano as Paul Pfeiffer. Note: The scene where Ricky lies about his cousin's webbed feet to break his dance date with Hayley was undoubtedly a reworking of the scene in "Full Moon Rising" from Season 5 where Kevin lies to Cindy about his grandmother's liver to break their date so he can go cruising with the guys.