the beach scene

i've only seen bits and pieces of this movie, but i have watched the whole thing (ie flipping back & fourth from something else). I'm confused about the whole "beach scene." the girl that John Travolta has a crush on wants to like press hands together "holding hands" at the beach. and then she runs off because i guess it was all a prank? and then when her friends are laughing at it, she feels bad? and then john travolta cuddles up by himself and cries... he's truly upset or completely humilited? please explain if even that info alone makes any sense.