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ILLUSTRATION By Bethany Peel
LAUGHING IS MY NEW
SAID TAKE UP A HOBBY.
MUM
XOXO
THE CORE FAMILY
MUCH LOVE,
IT’S YOUR TURN TO GO GET ONE.
OBSESSION
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ILLUSTRATION By Bethany Peel
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WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE COLOUR AND WHY? "Hmmmm, green because I dressed up as an alien once but it dyed my skin green for like a month. Then I accidentally bleached my hair green once. It's just been a really unlucky colour with me."
By Alexis Gavan
I came into the world as I left I recorded each second in my memory. I shove my head forcefully into my trembling hands. The impact pushes my arms into my knees as I cradle myself in desperate need of comfort. There is a saying ‘if it bleeds, it leads’. This replays continuously over and over in my mind as I look back at my life that was sewn across my eyelids. I remember the days I got a buzz from the smallest thing, the slight rush of happiness when I got praised or the darting pains in my stomach when I laughed so hard I felt my stomach would collapse. It was invigorating. Now I feel nothing but numbness. I don’t want to be ME anymore. I suffer from the invisible condition that presents itself in a unique way depending on the person. For me, I bottle it in and keep it a secret but secrets can make you sick. Mental illness is a taboo subject that people fear to talk about because it’s not a physical, tangible problem. No one word, sentence or paragraph does it justice. This monster has changed the way i think, feel and act. It hasn’t just changed me, it’s changed my life. I stare into the mirror and look at the fields of wrinkles on my face that were stamped there from the crinkles of my distant smile. I see a reflection that not even my mother could love. My eyes moisten as I try hold back the tears of pain. I look to the right and see the endless supply of pills waiting to be consumed. It’s time to do it all over again I say to myself. It’s 2017 and the edges of ‘mental illness’ are becoming more frayed and definitions are being more varied but there is still sights of silent grey and dullness. nobody feels like they can speak up, nobody feels like they can be heard. In the air is a stagnated murky truth floating in the atmosphere. Pollution from people around us that have forced us to choke in a bubble of gas. I see the way the world is going. I don’t know if i can survive in this world. Confidence hid behind blurry grey and choking breath. I’d always been told to face my fears. But when I shuddered as I looked into the black. I still felt nothing and welcomed it with open arms.
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THINGS DON’T ALWAYS GO UP HILL
INVISABLE ILLNESS
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ILLUSTRATIONS By Hebe Iris Blackett
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HOW BIG ARE YOUR TOES SHEA? "Massive, I think I have my dad's feet if I'm honest, I have big chunky toes, a bit like chips. " WHAT ABOUT YOU TALLULAH? "Mine are fair average, i'd say I could be a toe model yano - just sayin."
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FEMINISM by Beatrice
Like many other girls, you can find me in wide leg navy ankle grazers cropped above my Comme des Garcons converse with an oversized tee. So nonchalant, so nautical. But not only has this developed as a trend, but it has become the norm for girls to dress in a more androgynous manner. How is it that we are fighting for female rights, which are repeatedly being translated onto the catwalk by the likes of Missoni and then continuing to dress and identify with male fashion? Surely if we want to express our feminist rights we would be promoting our feminist features- short skirts, low cut tops, but instead we are covering ourselves up, which brings in another dimension of what we feel comfortable to wear, or to show, whilst deeming appropriate or anti-slag.
Maybe we should be taking a leaf out of Susanne Oberbeck's, better known as No Bra, book. Recognised for her electronic punk sound, with live performances supporting nothing but trousers and a moustache, she truly is winning the gender revolution race. Although I don't feel like whacking my tits out in public places, there really is no better feeling than unstrapping that bra strap at the end of the day. Fashion and feminism are becoming conjoined and I certainly think this is beginning to translate into the hottest topic - thank you very much Donald Trump. If clothing is a way of expressing ourselves, perhaps it is clearer than ever that as females we don't feel we have a place in society, hence the reason we identify with male's trends. xoxo
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BATMAN THEO By Alexis Gavan
He hangs before the storm, no shadows form. Batman is as black as the night, sit tight and wait to watch him take flight. The bat was once born, but now he has to attend in his uniform. You could say the bat was once re-born under the name as Theo they normally are star signs that fall into Leo A dark crusader, voice of stone, a mission to make crooks atone. He protects Gotham City from people who are a disgrace, he protects them from the Joker, the Penguin and even from Two-Face. A moral compass, mentor, guide, with Robin fighting by his side. His ward, assistant, partner, friend, they’re under oath to save and defend. Upon leaving the cave, Theo flaps and skates away, once slipped into the mist, don't expect any delay.
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A SMILE AND A WINK GETS YOU FURTHER THAN YOU THINK By Alexis Gavan
CORE has cracked the code. We float on air of genuine optimism and carefreeness that's hard to find in a society full of doubtfulness. We like to have our happy socks on at all times, whether it's a Monday moment or thank god it's Friday moment. Never forget your happy feet. A smile is quite a funny thing, it wrinkles up your face into a field of crinkles and waves.. Smiling will leave you aching with reassurance that life is great. It leaves heads cosily crowded with thoughts and inspiration. CORE will tell you a story of one of our models, Milsy aka Emily that will make you infectiously smile. Emily had the kind of smile that brought warmth and happiness to all who saw it. As her naturally deep pink, full lips began to slowly curl into that famous, heartwarming smile, it created the softest hint of a dimple in her glowing cheeks. As her smile grew, I could catch dazzling glimpses of her perfect white teeth as the super bright flash from the sun illuminated her whole face. You know she has no compliments in sight. This is what CORE looks for. CORE wants you all to give us a smile so sort your sock game and paint that gleaming smile across your beautiful faces. Maybe brush your teeth first though x
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IF THE WORLD WAS GOING TO END, WHAT WOULD YOUR LAST MEAL BE? "A Mediterranean delight, like moussaka or something. Salad with lots of olive oil and feta and stuff. Maybe moussaka would be easiest to put ahaha." OKAY CHILL OUT NOW
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WANT CRAZY BEAN? WOULDAYOU LIKE A CRAZY BEAN?
WE GROW THEM OURSELVES
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"My God" By Andrew Bruce The Lord said love your neighbour No matter their behaviour Even if you waver Have faith in the saviour I'm finding it really hard to write this right now Remembering all the times I've kneeled and bowed Skipping Sunday was never allowed Now my lacking leaves a cloud Hanging over my consciousness I block it out with waterproof dress Should let it rain down and wash my stress So I don't end up an unconscious mess My God - what a mess
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I HAVE WHAT I HAVE AND I AM HAPPY I'VE LOST WHAT I'VE LOST AND I AM STILL HAPPY 62
OUTLOOK
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WHAT IS YOUR SPREAD OF CHOICE? "We are talking about sandwiches aren't we? If that's the case then 100% corrination chicken to get a bit of spice in my life."
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LOVE LETTER TO MY DEAR PINEAPPLE XO You're sweet, and I'm sour. I'd choose you every happy hour. You're the best squeeze yet, Oh sweet pineapple, you're the best one I've met. Honey you're mine. You make the best Pina Colada, who needs wine? Sweet and divine, You send shivers to my spine. Juice dripping from my lips, it feels like I'm falling into an eclipse. Just the presence of your spike, I'm just waiting for you to strike . Zingy taste, cant get enough, Fresh or canned, youre always the right stuff. 89
ILLUSTRATIONS ILLUSTRATIONS By Hebe By Hebe Iris Iris Blackett Blackett
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SELFISH LOLLIPOP By Alexis Gavan She talks as if she is the only person in the world and the only human that is suffering but guess what sugar - people are living in slums, starving or even worse, mourning their sons/daughters from recent attacks or events. I feel for you because I've been in your spot, the seat you are so proudly crowning yourself in. The matter of fact is, if it was anyone else sat there, I'd bow to their feet and feed them grapes to make them heal but because it's you, the person who has never thought about anyone but themselves. I will write this and suppress my anger. If a girl called Hattie or a guy called John was sat there. You wouldn't waste 2/3rds of a wink listening to their heart felt anguish of their struggles in life. You would sit there and twiddle your thumbs waiting for a pathway to slither in your story of how you did this or how you said that. The soap box isn't open today love. The lesson to learn is to listen to others and get out of your cloud, the bubble that is so perfectly formed around your aura that could easily be popped by a thin pin shining as a glimmer of light hits the smooth, slick surface. I think i've just popped it.
’ P O ‘P
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take a walk on the wild side!
Some people call me the wild child, I'd say I was personally, quite mild. Swinging on branches is normal right? Actually I don't know because I've never seen it in sight. I don't live with gorillas, I tend to go for the more upmarket villas. I suppose I do take journeys on my elephant, But that is me just being elegant. I do live with a lion called Brian, But he wouldn't hurt even a dandelion. My friend snake Peter, He's more of the man eater. As for cheeky monkey Tom, He'll just binge eat on the rom coms. I just don't get it - I'm no Tarzan, However, you could mistake me for his awful fake tan. Oh well I'll wear the name 'wild child' with pride, You could at least take a walk on the wild side.
I'm naked. I'm wearing skin, miles and miles of skin. It forms a layer to
I'm naked. I'm wearing skin, miles and miles of skin. It forms a layer to hide all my thoughts, it's soft and smooth but thats deceiving. Deep down I'm easily scarred by memories that leave an uneven surface along the fields of pale skin. I swim in my own thoughts, slowly gliding in the water making sweet little ripples and then a big wave comes over me to drop me underneath the surface of the water.
Drowning in those thoughts - I try to gasp for air trying to reach for hope but choke on the oceans touch trickling down to the back of my throat. I see the vines and low-hanging branches in which feels like a distant part of the world but in reality its just a touch away but the delicate glass of water forms a shadow to this world. Goodbye world. You can now allow someone to grow in their skin once more.
WHICH DO YOU PREFER, KETCHUP OR MAYO? "Do you need to even ask this question? I'd like to think everyone will say ketchup, Heniz always too"
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