well I am sure cloud was just a little bit better looking than most of the guys who were around her in the area in which Jessie spent most her time.

Think about it. If a girl coming from the slums spends most of her time around more than likely members of the opposite sex who are not very attractive and probably do not physically take very good care of themselves.

Then a young lad appears who is probably similar to her in age who is attractive, and who comes from a fighting force where people are in good shape. It would only be natural for someone whose eyes are hungry for something nice to look at. To build up a bit of a crush once her eyes do fall upon something that is nice to look at.