by Riley Londraville ’27 on October 2, 2025
Portfolio
Ryan and I step into the elevator up to the rooftop, and I look into the mirror of lustrous metal. I admire his cleanly shaven face and the jeans he’s put on for the occasion. We’re hand in hand, my green and white satin dress gliding over my oiled legs, and I can’t help but smile at the moment, and everything that led me here.
My roommates had just stood over me in the wooden desk chair they dragged in front of our double sink vanity. I meticulously painted my lashes, pulling my eyelids to the side for a sharp wing, as my breath fogged up my reflection.
Six years is big; it deserves the fuss, the wing, the satin, and more. Gio powdered my face while Katie twirled my hair in her hands after passing it through with the hot brush. I ran my hands through silk while Gio told me to look up, pressing away the trenches that had carved their way under my eyes. My legs shone thanks to Gio’s shaving oil, yet another thing I had borrowed in preparation for tonight. I used her oil, her bronzer, her concealer, and Katie wasn’t safe from my sticky fingers either; my hair is smooth and straight thanks to her hot brush, and my lips glimmer from the gloss that she stuck in my purse to bring with me to the rooftop.
It was a team effort slipping on Gio’s green and white satin dress, although it didn’t have to be. It was endearing to pretend I couldn’t reach the zipper, lifting my velvety hair up while Katie’s delicate hands pulled the clasp closed. Gio flashed her camera, capturing these moments in time—photos I’ll obsess over in weeks to come.
Now, Ryan bends down to kiss me on the cheek, making me glow like the sunset of the wildflower petals he gifted me earlier.
As the elevator doors to the rooftop open, I feel overwhelmed—no, pampered—with love.