**Chapter 8: Emily's Friends Warn Her**

Emily couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had been growing inside her since she started dating Coop. She had tried to brush it off as mere anxiety, but deep down, she knew something was off. It wasn't until she met up with her friends at the student union that she finally felt like she could open up about her concerns. As they sat down at a table, sipping their coffee and chatting about their classes, Emily's friends noticed that she seemed distant. "Hey, what's going on?" asked Sarah, a close friend from her psychology class. "You seem really preoccupied lately." Emily hesitated, unsure of how to share her story with her friends. But something about their concerned expressions made her feel like she could trust them. "I've been seeing my professor, Coop," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. The room fell silent as her friends exchanged worried glances. "Emily, how old is he?" asked Rachel, a friend from her English class. Emily took a deep breath before answering. "He's... um... let's just say he's old enough to be my dad." Her friends gasped in unison, their eyes wide with shock. "Emily, what are you thinking?" asked Sarah, her voice laced with concern. "He's your professor! And he's old enough to be your dad? That's just not right." Emily felt a surge of defensiveness, but she knew her friends were coming from a place of concern. "I know it sounds crazy," she said, "but I really like him. And he's been really sweet to me." But her friends weren't having it. "Sweet?" repeated Rachel. "Emily, he's taking advantage of you. He's in a position of power, and he's using that to manipulate you. You need to stay away from him." Emily felt a shiver run down her spine as she thought about Coop's behavior. She had been ignoring her gut instincts, but now she was starting to see that her friends were right. Coop was possessive and controlling, and she was starting to feel trapped. "I know it sounds bad," she said, "but I feel like I'm in too deep. I don't know how to get out of this situation." Her friends exchanged determined glances. "We'll help you," said Sarah. "We'll support you no matter what. But you need to promise us that you'll stay away from him." Emily nodded, feeling a sense of resolve wash over her. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was ready to take back control of her life. She was ready to break free from Coop's manipulation and start fresh. As they hugged her tightly, Emily felt a sense of gratitude towards her friends. She knew she could count on them to be there for her, no matter what. And with their support, she knew she could overcome anything. With a newfound sense of determination, Emily made a promise to herself: she would stay away from Coop, no matter what it took. She would prioritize her own well-being and take back control of her life. And she knew that with her friends by her side, she could do it.