A more expensive hybrid is going to have higher quality components that make it ride smoother and easier. (At least in theory. It does not always work out that way) I mean wheel bearings that roll a little smooth, bottom brackets that don't have as much resistance, etc etc etc

That's great if you're 50 and your body isn't quite as durable as it used to be.

But you're in high school. You're young. You don't tired out as fast. You recover from exhaustion faster. Go with the cheaper bike. You're unlikely to notice the difference in component quality. And you're young enough that it won't make much of a difference to you if you did.

When I was in high school I would be physical from dawn til dusk and get up the next day and do it again feeling great. Today that would literally kill me. As as result I have a bike that rolls a little smoother, but I can also afford it without depleting all my savings. So it's worth a little extra to me, MUCH more than it would have been worth to me when I was 18. So go with the cheaper bike as long as you test ride it and it feels good.

Also....factor in any growth you have left. If you're 14 and going into your freshman year you might grow another few inches, which would dramatically affect what the right size bike is for you. You don't want to spend $800 on a bike that you might grow out of with 1 more decent growth spurt. On the other hand if you're 18 and haven't gotten taller in 2 years you're probably through that phase of your life and won't have to consider outgrowing a bike.

My other advice to you is this...

Don't get sucked into the biking hobby now! You're too young! At your age you're giving an extra 10-15 years of money away on this hobby that ALWAYS has a new shiny thing you just NEED every few months! By delaying your entry into bicycling until you're 30 you will save trillions upon trillions of dollars (roughly....I rounded up slightly)

I'm kidding. It's awesome that you're young and biking. You'll stay fit and healthy and might never have to deal with things like heart disease and cholesterol and all that crap. But it is expensive. That part was no joke.