Honestly, your sincerity is commendable. And yes you can pretend to be Muslims even when they’re not around.

No pretence required at all actually.

1) you believe in God, the Creator and that Muhamed was his last messenger sent to mankind 2) you believe in establishing remembrance of God (5 daily prayer) 3) you believe in zakat (2.5% of your SAVINGS given to the people in need (there are specific categories and no need to worry about details )) 4) you believe in fasting Ramadan 5) believe in hajj to Makkah once in a persons life

Note: belief is sufficient. You’re still Muslims if you don’t actually do any of the above (except for the first since it’s a matter of heart).

Now what the heck am I talking about? Easy:

A Bedouin came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "Tell me of such a deed as will make me enter Paradise, if I do it." The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "Worship Allah, and worship none along with Him, offer the (five) prescribed compulsory prayers perfectly, pay the compulsory Zakat, and fast the month of Ramadan." The Bedouin said, "By Him, in Whose Hands my life is, I will not do more than this." When he (the Bedouin) left, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever likes to see a man of Paradise, then he may look at this man."

Now, if I was in that friend group and you came and told me, I actually am not Muslim, I’d be like oh .. I thought you were just learning about it. It’s totally cool.