Tifa seems to not love Cloud. She wants what she feels is ideal- like Zack. She didn't get interested in Cloud until after she met Zack and he took over his story. She didn't bother correcting Cloud. She wanted a popular, famous hero. Cloud didn't start out like that and didn't become one. She wanted to mold Cloud into Zack. People always accuse Aeris of liking Cloud because he is like Zack. Aeris didn't try to make Cloud like Zack. Aeris noticed they were similar, but it didn't make her feelings for Cloud turn into feelings for Zack.

Aeris never lied or tried to make Cloud like Zack, she accepted him for who he was. Tifa lied about Cloud's past. Tifa would have probably chosen Zack over Cloud if he was by the train at the beginning. Aeris admitted they were different and accepted that. Tifa tried to twist Cloud into Zack. She wasn't into him for who he was. By the time she figured out who he was, she still wanted to change him. She didn't love him as others may claim. She may have had feelings for him, but Tifa didn't really want to get to know the real Cloud. Aeris was interested in getting to know the real Cloud. It never showed Tifa falling for Cloud or developing an attachment to him. The highwind scene may have been one thing, but that was just because Cloud was the one who was there. Tifa was used to being popular and adored. When Cloud came back, the people who were in her clique weren't there, so she chose Cloud by default. When Johnny reappeared, briefly, Tifa started flirting with Johnny and lost interest in Cloud. When Johnny was gone, back to Cloud.

Aeris got to know the real Cloud and didn't just use him because he was there. She got to know him one on one before she met the other members of the group. Aeris had a tough life and only a few people got to know her really well. She and Cloud had experienced tough times and Aeris understood that. Also, Aeris didn't start flirting with Johnny or anyone other than Cloud. Tifa never realized that she was really cruel to Cloud and didn't seem to really care about who he was. Think about it, he comes back on the train and all of a sudden she acts into him? It wasn't because of the Cloud he was. Aeris was able to joke with Cloud, argue with Cloud and get to know the other sides of Cloud. Tifa always tries to agree with Cloud, Aeris feels comfortable with Cloud, she can argue with Cloud playfully and still like him and know that things can work out. Aeris is the one who accepts him for who he is and isn't afraid to disagree with him or share her opinions.