Answer: Ryan froze in astonishment because he hasn't been the "It" for a long time. People would never want him to be the "It" because he's way of playing as an "It" means commentating what an "It" does rather than chasing others. This wasn't the way it was supposed to be.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question above is related to the story entitled "Tag--I'm It," written by W.M. Akers.
Ryan was finally started running again when a girl named Angela tried tagging him as an "It." Oftentimes, he would just narrate the game that's why people don't want him to be the "It." Such experience changed his perception and allowed him to play actively in the game coupled with narration.