High school memories have a way of sticking with you. No matter how far you go in life, no matter how much time passes, there are moments, faces, and experiences that never quite fade. For me, it was Koelel High School—a strict military boarding school nestled in Gilgil, Kenya. It wasn’t your average school. It was tough, disciplined, and relentless. But beyond the rules and regimens, it was also where I experienced some of the most defining moments of my youth.

I never imagined that my time at Koelel, or the events that unfolded there, would lead me to writing a book. In fact, the idea of turning these memories into something more started as nothing more than an Instagram post—a casual throwback to one of my more outrageous high school experiences. I was just going to share a story, maybe get a few laughs or nostalgic comments from my friends.

But then something unexpected happened. As soon as I posted that story, my phone blew up. Calls, messages, DMs—all of them asking for more. “You have to tell the whole story,” they said. “What happened next?” “We need details!” And that’s when I realized—these stories, these moments, resonated with people. They weren’t just my memories anymore; they had taken on a life of their own.

So, I started writing. What began as a simple Instagram post quickly evolved into something bigger. I dug deeper, unraveling the events, the friendships, the drama, and the lessons that shaped my time at Koelel. The story you’re about to read is a journey—a journey back to a time when I was 17, sneaking phones into a strict boarding school, chasing love that wasn’t what it seemed, and learning some hard truths along the way.

This book isn’t just about me. It’s about the people who were there with me, the friends who stood by me, the mistakes that taught me, and the experiences that changed me. It’s about the unforgettable moments that shaped my high school years and, in many ways, shaped who I am today.

I hope, as you turn these pages, you’ll see a bit of your own story in mine. After all, we all have moments from our past that stay with us, moments that make us who we are. This is mine.

Welcome to my journey. Welcome to The Girl from Mombasa.