Chalk Squares

I stepped out into the afternoon air, following the tree-lined sidewalk toward the corner parklet. Across the smooth asphalt, someone had drawn a numbered hopscotch court in thick blue chalk. Instead of merely walking past the geometric grid, I decided to test its rules. I selected a flat gray pebble from the curb and tossed it squarely into box three. Taking a measured leap, I landed cleanly on one boot in square one, hopped into square two, and sprang forward to plant both boots simultaneously across boxes four and five. Reaching the top semicircle without brushing a single chalk line felt remarkably exhilarating.